File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎142r] (288/804)

81
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 5401, dated the 17th April 1917 .)
Telegram P., No. 23810, dated the 12th April 1917.
From—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Bushire.
Under date March 30th (27th ?), Secretary of State wired as follows.
Reference contemplated action by Darya Begi against Tangistani Khans.
Begins. * « * *
Deputy Political Resident’s views on questions asked by Secretary of Stato
should please be ascertained by you and reported by wire.
82
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 5401, dated the 17th April 1917.)
Telegram P., No. 23842, dated the 12th April 1917.
From—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla,
To— Sir P. Sykes, Shiraz (repeated G. O. C. Gulf of Oman, and O. C. Bunder
Abbas).
Your 680 of 9th'April. The base of escort to your mission and of S. P. R.
established under paragraph 6 of the Orders for the Organization of escort to
Pritish Mission in South Persia is the base at Bunder Abbas. For all adminis
trative matters connected with the base and with personnel of escort levies and
S. P. R. the Base Commandant is under your orders. Bunder Abbas is, at the
snme time, a Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Garrison and as such it is commanded by the senior
combatant officer present at Bunder Abbas under the O. C. Gulf of Oman’s
orders. The question of bringing Bunder Abbas entirely under you and of
eliminating it from the ports under the O. C. Gulf of Oman is under considera
tion at present.
83
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 5525, dated the 19th April 1917.)
Telegram P., No. B. M.-4989, dated (and received) the 14th April 1917.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Bushire,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
Your 23810 of April 12th.
Views of Deputy 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. are as follows '.—Begins. On several
occasions Darya Begi expressed the opinion that if assisted by us and with help
of contingents from friendly Chiefs of JGayat Daud Rud Hilleh Shabankareh
and Angali he might be able to deal with the hostile Khans of Chakutah,
Tangistan and Rorasjun. Proposal was therefore put forward early in March
(after intimation had been received from Minister that IVar Cabinet was not
in favour of action by British troops) that he should be allowed to do so, the
idea being that he should make his move at the same time that Soulat was
dealing with Kazerun. He hoped to be able to raise eight or nine bundled
armed^men. He has ammunition and asked only for financial assistance and
loan of some guns and (maxim guns ?) with men to work them, bo far pro
posal has not been put before friendly Chiefs, as Darya was unwilling to do so
until assured of our assistance. Arrangements must be started immediately if
anvthin 0 ' is to be done. In fact it is doubtful whether it is not already too late
owing to difficulty of collecting men during harvest which commences
beginning of May. There is nothing to show that situation on Shiraz road is
clearing itself up. Ends. ^ • .
Generally I am in agreement with these views, but think that it would be
a great mistake for Darya to make a move unless there is good prospect of
success as if it proved a falure it would have a very bad effect on local situation.
I could lend him two Turkish l.-pr. guns and one 7-pr. mountain gun and two
maxim guns with ammunition and detachments to work them if move is
decided on.
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