File 3516/1914 Pt 9 'German War: Persia' [‎286r] (576/618)

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Telegram P., No. 1242 B., dated the 15th (received 16th) June 1915
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Please refer to my telegram No. T 20.
that the money mighrL^Jaid 6 through tS P OU ^Companr^hr Youn J
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to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company London account. d
£2 ) OoVm S aAldlyrrd n e. Sf ° rrepayment t0 the Com P a ^ “ London of
Telegram P., No. 125—7, dated the 17th (received 18th) June 1915.
rrom-Ga S E Ki L Sm Ni MH) K.C.B., General Officer Commanding,
To-The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla. t
His Majesty’s Minister telegraphed to Sir P. Cox as follows:
“ The following note protesting against our operations in Persian territory
Has been received by me from the Persian Government. It could be left entirely
unanswered, as it is only a proforma document, but if, as seems to be the case,
we are no longer conducting operations on this side of frontier, I should be
able to give reply to that effect to the Persian Government.”
Cox has sent the following reply No. 1256 B., dated June 17th :
Your telegram No. 197. I am desired by the Army Commander to
suggest a reply somewhat on the following lines in so far as you consider it
expedient. Until the Turkish troops from Amara invaded Arabistan unopposed
with avowed purpose of inflicting injury on Great Britain by wrecking Anglo-
Persian Oil Company’s pipe lines and attempting attack on British forces at
Basrah in flank, not a soldier was landed by us in Persian territory. Persian
Government were either unable or unwilling to take any steps whatever to
repel this invasion of their territory and it was not until Turkish troops had
been a fortnight in Persian territory and Nasiri itself had been threatened and
British pipe line wrecked that Great Britain was compelled to despatch troops
to repel enemies of Persia and save further damage to property of the Oil
Company. As it is the destruction of the pipe line was brought about by
the Turkish invasion and the Persian Government failed to take any measures
to prevent it and consequently the oil industry has been at a standstill for
four months thereby causing the Oil Company to lose many thousand pounds
sterling. The bill for this will be presented in due course to the Persian
Government as a]so for expenditure incurred iu maintaining British troops in
Persia for the expulsion of the Turks and the protection of British property
and lives. In the circumstances, it is astonishing that the Persian Govern
ment should be surprised at the operations of British troops in their interests.
As a matter of fact, a portion of the British force has already been withdrawn
from Persian territory since the Turks have just been expelled beyond Persian
frontiers and, untjl Persian Government has shown herself capable of assuring
it herself, only such troops as may be necessary for safety of British life and
property in Arabistan will now remain there.
The Army Commander has repeated the above to Secretary of State and
Ipdia.
t?:—.
Telegram P., No, 57, dated the 16th (received 17th) June 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary'to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, §imla.
Please refer to your telegram No. 133.