File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎114v] (233/804)

XVI. Wl en the British troops arrived efforts were made to find
another suitable place to keep the prisoners in as the Barman Farma objected
to British guards being put on them in the Ark. As however the Ark was
obviously the only suitable place in deference to Barman Barma’s wishes, they
were allowed to remain under the Persian Guard of the Qawam’s men.
XVII. In December the Persian Government began to insist that the
Governor-General should assume the responsibility of the charge of the
prisoners but he procrastinated and managed to avoid replacing the Qawam’s
guard by his own men until on the 18th December, when Mirza Mustafa
Khan, the Adviser of the Qawam, had been arrested in connection with the
Kazerun affairs, it was found that the Ark and towers were still in the
Qawam’s hands. This forced the Governor-General to promptly assume charge
of the prisoners and Azam-i-Sultaneh assisted by Qawam Saadat. (The
German’s own Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. ) was put in charge of the prisoners.
XVIIi. In the beginning of January negotiations were started for the
removal of all the prisoners to Ispahan, and the Russians agreed to take them
over to Kumiskah. The Governor-General asked for permission to hand over
the prisoners and the Persian Government, while agreeing, tried to avoid the
responsibility of the move by giving evasive replies which frightened the
Governor-General who promptly refused to agree to hand them over.
XIX. On the btk of February a report was received from what appeared
to be reliable source that an attempt was being made to make a hole in the
wall, and also (showing ?) the way in which letters were passing out, and in it
was described (s*«c). The matter was reported to the Governor-General and a
hurried inspection of the Ark was made. Although one or two places were
suspicious nothing definite was found. The report though discredited at the
time was subsequently proved to he correct from the diaries which were
confiscated.
XX. Eventually on 15th Behruary, inspite of the fact that the Governor-
General had not received definite orders to hand over the prisoners, they were
taken over by the British Indian troops and a thorough search was made and
all papers, money, &c., taken from them. The pick-axe was also found. All
the prisoners were inspected and identification marks taken.
XXI. From the extracts attached it will be seen that they had kept up a
correspondence with Wassmuss and were undoubtedly a most dangerous factor
for intrigues.
XXII. 17th February, the German and Austrian prisoners left Shiraz
for Ispahan under escort of 121th Infantry commanded by Captain MaeMalon.
XXIII. They requested that their Munshi A term used in the Middle East, Persia and South Asia to refer to a secretary, assistant or amanuensis. Munshis were employed in the British administration in the Gulf. , Qawam-i-Saadat and one or
two of their Persian servants (who had been their go-betw 7 eens with messengers,
&c.) should be allowed to accompany them. This was of course not allowed.
Two of their servants managed to overtake them at the first stage, but were
arrested and sent back. One of these eventually gave a most acurate report of
the doings of the Germans and also informed us that other papers and money
were still in possession of the Germans having been successfully concealed
w r hen they were searched. Captain MacMahon held another search on the road
and this report was proved to be correct.
XXIV. M?. Roever, who was formerly “ Vice-Consul** (German) and in
charge of the Bank during the German’s regime and whose assistance had
been required in connection with the affairs of the Bank, had been imprisoned
in the Consulate up to Xmas and then be was allowed to return to his own
home where he remained at liberty until the day of the departure of the
prisoners, when he joined them just before starting and accompanied them to
Ispahan.
XXV. After the departure of the German and Austrian prisoners the
Governor-General was most anxious to again take over charge of the Ark with
the Turkish, Afghan and Persian prisoners which was permitted.
XXVI. The following day the Afghan prisoners were sent to Lingah
under a Persian guard and on the 22nd Turks &nd Persians (except the
Rermanisj left foi' Ispahan under the charge ol the (governor-General’s men.