File 364/1913 'Persia: situation in Fars (attack on 39th Central India Horse)' [‎138v] (281/522)

T think that, if action on the lines suggested is to be taken it would be more politic
that'it should be done in concert with Soulet-ed-Dowleh and the Kashgai. Soulet has
fre raently of late expressed his desire to rehabilitate himself and regain our favour and
that of the Persian Government. The utility to us of any action of this sort, especial^
if it entails advance of a considerable sum of money which later on w, 1 go to burdeT
the southern revenues, appears to me to be extremely doubtful. > the case of the
tribes of Luristan, following on the attack of Douglas and Lonmer in 1904, our action
coupled with abortive Persian measures, had a worse effect locally than if we had held
aloof entirely. The same would be the case here. .
In these circumstances I would urge that we should be prepared to take action on
the road in the spring, and not contemplate participation m any operations in the
present season. Effective occupation of Kazerun by our troops would greatly facilitate
Mukhber-es-Sultaneh’s task of organising a Pers.an expedition to punish the offending
tribe whichever it may turn out to be. I am also confident that when once it became
known that we had resolved to occupy the road in strength, we could command the
co-operation, passive at first, perhaps, but active as soon as we were installed at
Kazerun of the Kashgai headmen. i? rt i a
In conclusion, I would state that I consider the murder of Captain Eckford as
merely another item in our road account. It should not I think, be allowed to over
shadow the main consideration of the road problem, the solution of which w, I by
itself, be by far the best vindication of our prestige, and the only one of political
utility.
(Addressed Grovemment of India ; repeated Tehran and bhiiaz.)
Enclosure 3 in No. 1.
Consvl O’Connor to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Cox.
(No. 204.) _
(Telegraphic.
K.
Shiraz, December 16, 1912.
YOUR telegram No.
172.
Question of retribution to be exacted from tribe responsible for attack on
Mai or Kettlewell and party. # ,
As mentioned in my telegram No. 202, this attack was not apparently deliberately
aimed at our officers and sowars, but was made by ordinary marauding band with object
^ It appears to me. therefore, that this last attack in no way alters the general political
situation in Southern Persia, and does not necessarily call for any change of policy on
the part of His Majesty’s Government. If His Majesty’s Government did not consider
it necessary themselves to exact retribution for deliberate and sustained attack on
one of their consular officers and his escort, resulting in some loss of life and wounding
of consul, or for any of the subsequent attacks made on their officers, this last attack
presents no features of special atrocity wiiich would necessitate a change of policy now.
Death of Captain Eckford, of course, gives this last outrage a tragic significance
which, fortunately, does not attach to previous assaults. But this was merely an
unfortunate chance which might just as well have happened in the case of other officers
who were attacked from time to time.
I am therefore of opinion, unless His Majesty’s Government think it desirable now,
in view of repeated outrages and of the' generally disturbed condition ol Southern
Persia, to send an expedition into the country to restore order, there is no reason why
this last assault should per se necessitate their doing so. As I understand their policy
it is to maintain the existing form of Government as long as possible, and with this
object in view you have secured appointment to Ears of the best Persian governor
obtainable, and His Majesty’s Government are financing and otherwise supporting him
in his difficult task of trying to restore order in his province. Experiment is m
nature of forlorn hope, but if His Majesty’s Government wish to persevere in their
policy I know no special reason why they should now depart from it.
But, .as the question has been raised, I venture very respectfully to invite your
attention to the broad facts of the case as they present themselves to me. it 18
notorious that the whole of this part of Persia is virtually closed, and has for some
time been in a state of anarchy, which tends to increase rather than to diminish as time
goes on. In order to restore order and to protect their interests and subjects, * 1
Majesty’s Government are actually financing the Governor of Ears, and are retaining a