File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎334r] (672/804)

Parraan Farm a wishes me to send last invitations to the three to give in*
but pending ne^ws from you as to our policy I feel inclined to wait. The chief
^ danger is the prisoners at Shiraz being released by gendarmerie, by Kawam, or
by Soulet if they get desperate, or by any of them in conjunction with
Wassmuss. ,
Addressed to Tehran; repeated to Basrah and Bushire.
S49
Telegram P., No. 62R-P V dated the 20th (received 21st) September 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Gough’s reports from Shiraz lead him to believe that he could proceed
there alone if we drop Farman Farma; this is not borne out by my own informa
tion nor do I think it possible for any European to control so turbulent a
province as Fars unless backed by an adequate force without the assistance of
the advice and authority of able Persian.
My own view, shared apparently by Persian Government, is that opposi
tion to Farman Farma merely cloaks opposition to Sykes’ mission and that
insistence on latter implies insistence on former and in my opinion we cannot
abandon projected Southern Persian Bifles without gravest results not only in
Fars but elsewhere.
Eoever and other political prisoners have been released at Shiraz, while
I hear others are still in custody. As this is likely to make position more
difficult, I am afraid it will be risky for Sykes to endeavour to proceed without
further force to support him. Despatch of a column as proposed in my tele
gram 620 is earnestly recommended.
Farman Farma and Gough are still at Abadeh but will not be able to
remain for more than a few days owing to difficulty of supplying their column
of some 650 to 700 men. I, therefore, hope that decision may soon be reached
pending which Persian Government is moreover unable to shape its action.
Addressed to London Foreign Office; repeated to Basrah.
350
Telegram P., No. 658-C., dated the 21st (received 22nd) September 1916.
From—B rigadier-General Sir P. M. Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Ispahan,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla (repeated to Chief of the General Staff and Basrah).
Troops of cavalry and TOO infantry have to-day been sent to Kumishah
with money for Gough. Some prisoners in Gough’s hands will be taken over
by party. Noel and the Ahwaz caravan will also be escorted for some distance
by them.
351
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 10303, dated the 21st September 1916.)
Telegram P., No. 55-S. C., dated the 14th (received 18th) September 1916.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Sistan, Khwash,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
Following telegram received from Consul, Sistan, No. 660-C.
jBepeats. Ends,
Following was my reply :— Begins,
Deference Consul, Sistan telegram 660-C. I think you have been
^misinformed as to the number of camels that come to Khwash. The actual
juumbers are as follows:—July 955 (words omitted) September 272, total
1,679 for 2J months, and this number includes only 1,162 carrying food*
jsupplies for men and horses.