File 3360/1916 Pt 2 'Persian correspondence. (1917-18)' [‎46r] (96/678)

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Telegram P., No. 746, dated the 27th (received 28th) August 1918.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department), Simla.
On August 26th, I urged Prime Minister to agree to any other neutrals
as Bis Majesty’s Government could not accept Swedish officers. He objected
as before to Prench or Americans but said he would take Swiss and urged that
we should come to a formal agreement as soon as possible, providing for
despatch of a small number to study formation of future single uniform force.
Prime Minister then asked what was the number of effectives at Shiraz of
South Persia Rifles. His reports were very incomplete from Parman Parma
and he could not understand how with nearly 3,000 Indian troops matters
could have come to so serious pass that Sykes had had to entrust
to Kawam and Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Ehtesham, pursuit of Soulat and to Parman Parma
protection of Ispahan road and he felt there must have been between Sykes
and Governor-General serious friction; if Governor-General had not had
support of our troops, matters could hardly have been worse. My reports, I
said, threw very little light on this question which puzzled me very much but
they agreed in showing that Governor-General had worked hard to save the
situation ; Sykes had been provided, on the other hand, with a very efficient
staff. I knew nothing definite as to the effectives of South Persia Rifles
except desertions had been very numerous and that a Persian who had
recently arrived from Shiraz had said that at most 1,000 remained. His
Highness said that Sykes’ mission in this case seemed to have been failure
and added that it seemed hardly worth keeping South Persia Rifles. I said
that the latter idea was crossing my mind. He then developed idea that
we should hand over such part of South Persia Rifles as he could trust
to Parman Parma, remainder being disbanded and should make advances
to cover cost; force thus retained would be used only on roads and Parman
Parma would be free to retain British officers’ services. I remarked that
this was very drastic solution but it did not include Kerman where South
Persia Rifles were efficient and loyal. His Highness asked why it should
not be treated in the same way. Question of South Persia Rifles would
be settled and incidentally we should save the immense sums we are now
spending, if His Majesty’s Government would agree to this and to arrival of
Swiss officers to study. I informed him that I would report what he had said
to you, though my having listened to his proposals must not be taken to
imply more than personal and possibly indiscreet curiosity.
The exchange of notes respecting Swiss officers, I presume, will be the
best means of record of agreement, but as to what points are to be included
I beg to be informed.
This refers to your telegram No. 412.
Addressed to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for Poreign Affairs and
repeated to Baghdad.
125
Telegram P., No. 1037-S., dated the 28th August 1918.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To—The Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire (repeated to Bagh
dad and Tehran).
Por the political control outside Bushire outposts the following will be
the arrangements when our force advances whether it dees so at the Persian
Government’s open or tacit request or not. A military situation is created by
the advance in either case. It therefore follows that the General Officer
Commanding must have political as well as military control, and the Deputy
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. as Chief Political Officer will be attached to his staff.
Subject to the supreme direction of the General Officer Commanding, other
Political Officers, whom the Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. wishes to take with him,
will work under his orders on his staff.