File 3516/1914 Pt 9 'German War: Persia' [‎299v] (603/618)

The Russian Minister is communicating to Petrograd these views with
^Sdre^dtSgn Office as No. 247 and repeated to India, Basrah, Bushire
and Petrosrrad.
/ ^ '
Telegram R., No. 305 C„ dated the Mtb (received 15th) July 1915.
From— Major A. P. Trevoe, C.I.E., Officer on Special duty, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Rest
dency, Bushire, . , ta- i rv 4 .
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart.
ment, Simla.
an interval of
send ns down
sent to attack
My telegram No. 304 G. ^ J ,
There was no further attack last night. I think however that tribesmen
will again collect and threaten us and we shall have no quiet until we attack
and crush them.
I venture to suggest therefore that if there is likely to be
nuiet in operations in Mesopotamia, Army Commander might
sufficient reinforcements and transports to enable column to he
confederate Khans consecutively.
We should begin with Sheikh Hussein ; Ahmad Khan Augab, with
Haidar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Khan ? s forces, would gladly co-operate and we could hand oyev
Ahmadi to him, as the price of assistance. After disposing of bheikh
Hussein, if conditions appeared favourable, Borasjun and A hr am could be
tackled. Dilwar might forthwith he bombarded by His Majesty s ships, and
towers blown up by landing party, as Kais Ali’s gang was directly concerned
in Dtp, death of the two British officers.
In my telegram No. 207 0., dated the 30th May, I had risked _ His
Majesty’s Minister to inform the Persian Government of the hostile attitude
of these Khans and to note them for a future punishment. It appears to
me that the time has now come to inflict it as severely and promptly as
possible.
Position since the attack has completely changed.
I have furnished yon from time to time with translations of threatening
letters of the confederate Khans, which have culminated in an open declara
tion of war on British in Bushire, in (?) rejoicings for their conduct with
Wassmuss of the campaign, and in exhortations to all to join them for sake
of religion. It is clear from these that these Chiefs regard themselves as
in a state of war with us here, whatever the attitude of their own Government
may he.
If we do not take prompt measures to avenge the deaths of these two
British officers almost at the gates of the Besidency, which has gained and
enjoyed unique respect during the last hundred and fifty years, it will be put
down to pusillanimity. We shall not only lose enormously in prestige, but
must expect attacks at any time which suits the confederates, resulting in
garrison of Bushire remaining in something approaching perpetual state of
s'ege and this (is ?) galling to all. His Excellency the Governor is of the same
opinion and has aleady spoken to me very earnestly on the subject two or
three times recommending that drastic measures he taken.
In spite of my repeated complaints to Tehran regarding hostile Chiefs,
who openly claim to have the Persian Government and Governor-General of
Pars with them, Persian Government have done nothing to warn or threaten
them by telegraph and clearly do not intend to mind what happens.
In making the above recommendation I am of course only representing
matters from a local point of view and realise that large questions outside my
sphere of legation prevent any action on lines indicated. If so, we shall have
trouble here probably on island as well as from outside.
Addressed Cox, sent to Tehran, sent to India.