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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎169v] (343/804)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (398 folios). It was created in 1916-1917. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Telegram V., No. 4)9i, dated the 14th (received 15th) March 1917.
;p roir The 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bush ire,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
(Addressed Basrah.)
Minister sends following .—Begins. Foreign Office sends following tele
gram which is repeated for your intormation and guidance. It is generally
agreed that Soulet’s record of treachery makes it impossible to trust to his
promises. On the other hand it is realised by myself how opportune present
moment is for action by Bersians. Hence I am prepared to entertain Farman
Farma’s proposal (see Shiraz telegram to you, 6) that Soulet should be paid by
results.
“ jf it is feasible, experiment is worth trying if you can at the same time
make arrangements with Darya Begi on lines of your telegram 8. No munitions
of war whatever should be given by us to Souiet and he would he paid by His
Majesty’s Government through Farman Farma according to results achieved
up to maximum of tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. 30,000 a month for three months.
“ Very early action seems desirable in view of tribal migration in April and
impression of Kut and Hamadan. If you are satisfied you may act in the
sense of above immediately. Ends."
Conclusions arrived at in Bushire telegram 56-459 are in my opinion
sound and should be borne in mind in negotiation with Soulet.
For my own part I feel that Soulet is getting scared for his own position
and will prove tolerably amenable.
Addressed Shiraz 76 and Bushire 33. Ends.
264
Telegra n R., No. 496, dated the 14th (received loth) .March 1917.
From—The 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
(Addressed Basrah.)
Following from Consul, Shiraz :— Begins. Your telegram No. 459.
My information also shows Soulet has called a meeting of Khans at Firuza-
bad in order to settle Kazerun difficulties. It is true he is endeavouring to
settle affair at the request of Government and I have myself written to him to
do so hut at the same time I have formally assured him we will not agree to
pardon of or any terms he may make with Nasr-ed-Divan or other rebels.
Both Sykes and I are convinced since His Majesty’s Government will do
nothing from Bushire w r e must make what terms we can with Soulet (though
naturally not given him any encouragement towards idea of constituting
himself protector of Dashtistan and Tangistan) with a view to drawing him to
our side. His former suspicious attitude has recently changed and victories in
Mesopotamia should bring him definitely over to us.
At present South Persia Bifles are not available as a fighting force and
cannot be used as such until they have been trained which cannot be before
next autumn. When Indian reinforcements arrive Sykes has ideas of placing
a force of about 600 strong at Dehbid for summer. This and partially trained
South Persia Bifles detachment at Abade should keep road open for traffic if
we have a friendly Soulet but with unfriendly or hostile Soulet our difficulties
will be enormous and it will be almost impossible to continue to hold road
with untrained South Persia Bifles.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, and memoranda, comprising miscellaneous correspondence on British involvement in Persia in the period 1916-17.

Topics discussed include:

  • the activities of the German Vice-Consul, Bushire, Wilhelm Wassmuss, including reports of an attack on him (folio 312)
  • an account of the escape of German and Austrian prisoners (folio 281)
  • translations of letters from German prisoners transferred from Shiraz to Russia (ff 43-48) including a translation of Dr Zugmeyer's diary
  • discussion of German and Russian activities in Persia
  • tables, statistics and reports on troop numbers and weaponry, deployments, military engagements and casualties
  • British relations with local chiefs and their dealings with the Germans and Russians
  • transcripts of local newspaper articles on various topics including the Russian Revolution (folio 136v)
  • discussion of money required to pay to tribes
  • miscellaneous Army Department memoranda
  • general reports on the political and military situation in Persia including the 'Bakhtiari country' (ff 320-321)

The file is mainly divided into sections on events by weekly date period. Correspondents include: the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department; HBM Minister, Tehran (Sir Charles Marling); HBM Consul, Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas]; HBM Consul, Shiraz; HM Consul-General, Meshed; HM Consul for Kerman and Persian Baluchistan, (David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer); HBM Vice-Consul, Ahwaz (Captain Edward Noel); HM Consul-General, Isfahan; General Officer Commanding, Sistan Field Force; The General Staff, South Persia Rifles, Shiraz; the Inspector-General, South Persia Rifles (Brigadier-General Sir Percy Molesworth Sykes); Chief of the General Staff, Simla; Chief of the Imperial General Staff, London; the 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire; and the 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. , Bushire.

Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (398 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file. The subject 3360 (Persian Correspondence) consists of three volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/612-614. The volumes are divided into three parts, with each part comprising 1 volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 400; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎169v] (343/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/612, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044323282.0x000090> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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