File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎104r] (212/804)

&V< —' 121
Telegram P., dated the 2nd (received 3rd) May 1917.
From Brigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Shiraz,
T ° The ment^sLla ^ GoVernment of India in the Foreign and Political Depart-
■eneral,
ifantry
pre-
It is desirable that Kerman, Saidabad and Tarun section should 1™
oyer as early as possible.
commenced
\dsrJt 19
1 8^^/ .The present policy is to dispose the Indian troops so as to occupy as far as
possible the centre strongly enough to cope with possible raids of the localitv
l^ing the intermediate places temporarily to local levies, or else vacant
su** W. r at i L moi %® outl1 . P f? la are . availa hle next autumn. All B,iza of
Gahum and Tarun is friendly and so is Kawam.
The sanitary condition of town demands the construction of new South
Persia Rifles mud brick post on free site. .The following steps should be
tjSKGn i --
(1) Saidabad Infantry post to accommodate 400 rifles to be
immediately under supervision of Lieutenant Lowis.
(2) Road gang of local labour, 50 strong, to be organised by Lieutenant
Lowis to bridge water channels and smooth out motor track of ten miles to
. Talatabad.
(3) Eor another 2 or 3 months Baft levies may he maintained.
(4) In middle of May Captain Merrill to proceed to Saidabad to organise
groups of local labour and smooth out motor track from Saidabad, south to
Talatabad, making use of Kerman motor to test going, and visiting Daulat-
abad to pay Baft levies.
(5) By middle of May posts on Kerman-Saidabad road to be occupied by
South Persia Rifles. About 100 rifles considered sufficient for this, and 50
each suggested in caravanserais near Mashiz and Robatisurkh.
(6) Captain M J Murray appointed to South Persia Rifles, Bunder Abbas;
middle of May headquarters of new 6th Infantry under Major Wagstaff,
proceed to Saidabad to recruit and organise.
(7) It is contemplated to build and occupy posts gradually along road to
wards Talatabad.
(8) Suggest company of mounted infantry be sent to Talatabad owing to
scarcity of horse rations at Saidabad. Supplies available locally at former
place; road can be more effectually protected.
(9) It is suggested that Merrill organise temporary local sowars for this
summer 25 each at Aliabad and Hajiabad and 50 at Talatahad. This might
be absorbed by South Persia Rifles later on. It is desirable that sowars who
might otherwise raid should be attracted into our service.
Addressed Officer Commanding, Kerman; repeated for information to
Tehran who, I hope, will concur, Chief General Staff, and Bunder Abbas.
122
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 6420, dated the 3rd May 1917.)
Telegram P., No. 1344, dated the 30th April 1917.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Bushire,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla (repeated to Sir P. Sykes, Shiraz).
Continuation my No. 1332, April 17th.
Bruggmann, late Consul Kerman, Dettmer called a submarine engineer
and Oertei are said to be the names of the 3 Germans recently arrived Ahram.
J
„ -LJS :iE il]
fo::£IGN seci;::.. .
Letter. Mo. 37 M
Dated 11 MAY 1917
Receive J 14 JUN 1917