File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎129r] (262/804)

159
Telegram T , ^o. 317, dated (and received)
From—ilis Britannic Majesty's Consul, Kerman,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in
ment, Simla.
91 /
the 16 th May 1917.
the Foreign and Political
Depart-
My telegram No. 228.
Sanads mentioned were despatched by safe opportunity on May 8th to
His Majesty’s Consul, Bunder Abbas, for transmission to you.
No fuitliei German documents have been discovered. Documents asked
for in your telegram No. 584 (504 ?)S. were posted under my forwardinsr
letter of 25th April, No. 548.
160
Telegram P., No. 175-F., dated the 16th (received 17th) May 1917.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To*—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
,My telegram 167. Shah has been so impressed by firmness displayed
hy Prime Minister together with spontaneous demonstration of Tehranis* in
his favour that he has requested him to retain office for the present.
In spite of internal dissension Cabinet’s position seems comparatively
safe. Shah and his democrat friends are now urging a number of changes in
provincial governorships in north partly on account of money to be made and
partly with a view to influencing election. Prime Minister hopes that this
opportunity may he utilised to remove one or two of his most redoubtable
opponents by giving them provincial appointments. Shah and Bakhtiaris are
making great efforts to remove Akhar from Ispahan and. as Cabinet is aware
that Russian Charge d’Affaires’ support is given without instructions from
Pe’rograd they may possibly give way, my advice to stand firm notwithstand
ing.
Addressed Foreign Office; repeated Petrograd.
163
Dated Shiraz, the 28th March (received 11th May) 1917 (Coiffidential).
From— Brigadier-General Sir Percy Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Inspector-General,
South Persia Rifles,
To—The Hon'ble Mr. A. H. Grant, C.S.L, C.I.E., Foreign Secretary to the
Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department.
I have the honour to address you on the subject of the German, Austiian,
Swedes, Turk and Afghan prisoners, who were imprisoned in the Shiraz Ark
W r hen the column reached Shiraz.
2. The first idea was for the column to take over these prisoners at that
time in charge of the Kawam, and a search was made for suitable quarters.
It was however found that, without electric light and barbed wire, no
Persian house would be suitable for the purpose. The Farman Parma was
strongly opposed to our taking over the prisoners in the Ark as it would lessen
his prestige, and while the matter was being discussed, the Persian Govern
ment intervened and insisted on his taking them over himself As our force
diminished by attrition, was numerically very weak, I was glad to be relieved
of a task which would have rendered the entire column immobile.
3 Early in January it was decided that it was desirable to send away the
prisoners.
The Earman Earma, although most anxious to be relieved of the prisoners,
was eouallv anxious to avoid all responsibility in the matter, an anxiety whie i
was shared^to the full by the Persian Government. As the season for the