File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎257v] (146/280)

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out of Shiraz and that the Swedes be recalled from Ears and
that you be sent to command the gendarmerie there
All Persia is seething. The situation as regards all of the
tribes is very critical. Everywhere in the provinces the tribes
are on the point of rising; east, north, south, west — all aroun .
Teheran will probably be kept in hand by Russian troops,
I believe it is true that 1400 Baghtiaries have joined the Turks£^
The Russians are still doing their utmost to oust the Swedes
and prevent their getting any money Churchill)
is surely going to leave Persia. Good riddance. Zanmar.
Sincerely yours ^ ^ MerriU .
P. S. Why not recommend that the Army of Ears be
abolished and merged with the gendarmerie? We need the
field guns. Also that I be given control of the police. That is
important in these unsettled times in order to have a hand on
the pulse of Shiraz. Please ask that I get something extra m
pay on acct. of the police.
Teheran, March 26 . 1915 -
Dear Major:
Townley yesterday told me that Sir Edward Grey on
March 24 th asked Stockholm to recaU the Swedes from Ears.
Townley told me he believed he had succeeded yesterday in
frightening the Persian government. He told the Persians that
there was imminent danger that 10 000 Russian troops might
occupy Teheran to enforce their demands as to Persia s neutrality.
He said he had received yesterday a concihatory reply from the
Prime Minister. The Prime Min. said to Townley We ,
of course the Russians can send troops here and change the
cabinet and put in whom they like as ministers but if they 0
all the tribes will rise and it will take 100 000 Russian troops
to deal with the situation. Townley said he believed the Russians
were taking advantage of the present situation and were
pleased because it gave them a good excuse to bring in
troops The present cabinet is showing a gr ea
deal of independence and disregard of both legations
mo 1 ) told m(
hie to the Pe
mil the field
?®a’s debt to
1 that the pn
ration. Three
ihdanopen 1
Towuley sal'
j ^Persia’s ac'
^ the waring
pwiinallprot
•'tMrawfrom ]
^nd would s
Indian govt,
't there await;
^ the end of
Nstan.
^hadassur
■ '^Kiangovt
^ wold not 0
^muchif th
^ entering th,
*) The dragoman of the English Legation.