File 3852/1912 Pt 2 'Persia. Conditions in South Persia. German Documents' [‎259r] (149/280)

Swedes I was told last night by a Persian that the P. G.
had recalled the Zil-es-sultan 1 ) to be governor-general of Pars...
There are rather persistent rumors that the Germans
intend to retire to Ispahan and fortify the place (how?) and
that they hope the Swedes will join them. It is said that the
Persian govt, may also withdraw there in case they refuse to
'ide by the wishes of the two legations Both Marling 2 )
and Etter 3 ) with whom I am on the best of terms both tell me
that they are confident and not worried over the German
intrigues. Frankly I don't believe either of them. Personally
I think they are both keeping quiet since the Russian troops
have come to Kazvine and that they hope the Germans will
start a row so that Russia can once for all seize North Persia.
In that case the P. G. will go to Ispahan. I think the report
above mentioned has something to do with this last possibility.
It would not surprise me a bit if it develops that your govt,
has already agreed to the partition of Persia, the removal of
the P. G. to Ispahan and the giving of the control of all south
of and including Ispahan (perhaps Hamadan and Kermanshah
too) to your govt, but that your govt, has asked Russia to
wait until a crisis occurs in north Persia before occupying the
country. I believe that under present conditions the sooner
1 ) Eldest son of Shah Nasr-Eddin. He lived 10 years in exile in France.
When attempting to return to Persia he was detained in Resht by the Per
sians and he was only allowed to go back to Europe on payment of a large
sum. His recall took place of course owing to the pressure of Russia and Eng
land. The "Morning Post”, May 26 ^, 1916 , writes: The English Government;
I learn, relies on his abilities as a ruler for restoring somewhat ordered con
ditions in the Southern sphere of English influence. ” On his return in May
1916 by way of London and St. Petersburg he was received by the king of
England and the Czar. The Bakhtiars are his arch-enemies, as the assassination
of the highest Khan is due to him. The English Minister Marling in a private
letter writes on June 20 th, 1916 , in an ill-humoured way to Sir G. Buchanan,
the British Ambassador in St. Petersburg: ”1 am not surprised to learn
that the Zil retains his anti-Bakhtiari sentiments, but it is a bit of a
shock that he should air them at Petrograd only ten days after protesting
in London that he loved them as his children. I fear very much that we
have to be prepared to see the Zil more friendly to the Russians than to
us, but we must keep the pretence of seeing in him a ”gros bonnet” en-
joying and deserving equal favour from both Powers”.
2 ) Townley’s successor.
3 ) The new Russian Minister.