File 3360/1916 Pt 2 'Persian correspondence. (1917-18)' [‎177v] (359/678)

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Telegram P., No. 6220, dated the 21st (received 22nd) December 1917.
From—The 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. , Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart-
ment, Delhi.
(Addressed Tehran, repeated Ispahan and Secretary of State.)
Dr. Young sends following from Ahwaz :—•
Begins. I am told by 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. Zafar that be does not intend to come south this
winter. He feels he can no longer continue as Illkhani having met with staunch
opposition from his brother Khans and received no support whatever from Teh
ran. He has neither money nor arms, and the revenue of country has already
decreased enormously on account of prevailing scarcity. He has not even been
able to draw our own quarterly instalment owing to ihe low rate of exchange
and I have it in deposit for him. He states that he would require about 50,000
tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. for his journey south and his campaign against Kuhgilus. He says that
he has again telegraphed to the Minister and Khans in Tehran, and unless he
receives a favourable reply he proposes to resign. I have urged him to come
south but without success, and two junior Khans, 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. Eateh and Ali Mohamed
Khan, are coming instead. The unprecedented absence of the Illkhani
from the South in the winter will, I am sure, have a bad effect in country.
Should he resign, the Bakhtiaris will get out of hand, as I doubt
whether any of the other Khans will take charge without some guarantee and
whether even if they do any of them will be loyal to us. His resignation will
also strengthen the hands of a section hostile to us who have maintained that
Zafar like Mohtasham will have to go because our support was withheld. But
my real fear is that unless Zafar is assisted, he also will end by joining the
opposition and it seems to me a risk which we should not take in the present
state of things with Russia in her present condition and with the possibility later
of a renewal of enemy activity in the country.
My opinion is that some assistance should be given him and I would
urgently recommend this for serious consideration.
Addressed Baghdad ; repeated Ahwaz. Ends.
I am of opinion that non-arrival of Illkhani in low country would involv e
grave risk of unrest in Oil fields region and am therefore authorising Young
to give 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. temporary accommodation on my behalf and to express my hope
that he will not fail to come down.
Ill
Telegram P., No. 474* (464 ?*)-F., dated the 21st (received 22nd) December 1917.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
(Addressed London Foreign Office.)
^ Local democrats are in communication with Germans in Petrograd, and
Nadolni is asserted to be on his way to Tehran as German Minister with large
staff. Report gives them great encouragement though it may be untrue.
They are also in close relations with Maximalist soldiery, who have
practically expelled Russian Consul from Kazvin and have come to ^Tehran.
There are apprehensions that they will endeavour to take over Russian Lega
tion. They are promising to support anti-British party, and also attempt
ing to gain over rank and file of Persian cossacks.
The Jangalis also have been infected with anti-British poison and are
enlisting support of soldiery at Resht and Enzeli, from whom they have
bought at least 1 machine gun and a considerable quantity of rifles and
ammunition. It is reported by Belgian Customs Director at Enzeli that
practically all the soldiers returning to Russia are selling rifles before leaving.
* Vide Serial No. 113.