File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎22v] (49/804)

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Telegram E., No. 270, dated (and received) the 21st September
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Shiraz,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Clear the line. Farman Farma received a telegram from the Minister of
the Interior yesterday (Karguzar had received a duplicate four days before)
to the effect that, since the South Persia Rifles are so generally disliked by
Persian people, would it he possible for His Highness by augmentation of bis
present force to ensure security of commercial routes and adding that
necessary security had not been ensured by South Persia Rifles and that
there is a menace that in future this force will be cause of great trouble for
Persia. His Highness is convinced Cabinet could only have sent this tele
gram at the instigation of Germans through Constantinople and he feels sure
that, if he frankly opposes the suggestion, he will be still more hated by
nationalists and his family and property will be in serious danger.
His Highness, with your approval, proposes to report that to ensure security
of commercial routes would require at least a Brigade with full complement
of arms and ammunition, artillery, &c., and that, since the present administra
tion costs about 300,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a month while Swedes paid from 150,000 to
200,000, he would not be able to manage with fySss than latter sum alter the
original cost of equipment had been met.
His Highness proposes to conclude his telegram by saying that, if the
Persian Government wish, he is prepared to enter pour parler with Consul and
Sykes so as to come to some friendly and temporary arrangement (perhaps till
end of war) so that integrity of Persia will not be endangered and power of
South Persia Rifles will be ^nited. (Note.—This is obviously impossible and
is merely by way of temporising.)
His Highness will not send this telegram before the receipt of your reply
and should you not approve, I request you will immediately inform me as to
what form you would wish his reply to take.
His Highness s real wish is that, if you have an idea of altering status of
South ^ Persia Rifles, he should be given a hint, so that he may take steps to
make it appear that suggestion comes from him, i.e., from party friendly to
Great Britain in Persia and not that South Persia Rifles have been driven out
of Persia by nationalists.
His Highness said finally that, if you wish, he is prepared often (openly?)
to oppose Persian Government, but should this be the case, there must be a
fo^seen plan and arrangement suitably drawn up between His Majesty’s
Government and himself. j a
Addressed Tehran; repeated Bushire.
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Telegram R. t No. 18, dated (and received) the 22nd September 1917.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Shiraz,
To-Thc Swreterytothe Government o£ India in the Foreign and Political Depart-
Regarding last consignment of flour.
I had sold bags in which atta (was sent ? ) mostly to Supply and Trans,
port Corps and partly merchants. Former now claims that bags are property
of them Department and demand their return. This will increase loss <jn sate
flour by nearly o,590 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , as these bags are eagerly bought up here.