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File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎376v] (757/804)

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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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The Foreign Office has communicated on the subject with Marling ; but
the best way to really influence the state of affairs would be to send a small
mixed force with machine guns and guns via the Bakhtiari country to Ispahan,
The presence of some such force would not only influence Kurds’ (course of
action ?) through the Bakhtiaris but that of other Southern Persia tribes; and
it would also be a proof of our good understanding with Russians.
The Russians seem at present to be unable to support Zil-es-Sultan at
Ispahan, and Marling can probably do little with the Bakhtiaris without this.
Without Russian consent no action will be taken, and I would like your
ideas as to the desirability and feasibility of despatching this force, before
suggesting it to them. I would be glad to know what progress is being made by
the (Southern ?) Persia Military Police.
Addressed General Officer Commandine, Force “ D ”; repeated to the
Commander-in-Chief in India.
305
(Received with the Army Department endorsement No. 7216, dated the 26th July 1$16.)
Telegram P., No. I. G.-3331, dated the 22nd (received 23rd) July 1916.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D ”, Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla.
Your 19657 of July 17th.
Point 1.—Regarding practicability of sending a small mixed (?) force
Did Bakhtiari country to Ispahan. The move of any but small bodies of troops
is rendered difficult owing to scarcity of water and by reason of the impoverish
ed state of the country. Wheeled guns cannot traverse the country. Still,
in case of necessity, the route is (practicable—omitted in original).
Point 2 .—Regarding desirability, attaching to the proposal are all the dis
advantages of a detachment and the further disadvantage of its being, in case
of accidents, practically beyond support. In addition to this, in my opinion
and that of Cox, it would not influence the Kurds in any way nor^ have any
useful effect in Southern Persia or Pars. It would be useful if it had the
effect of keeping the Bakhtiaries generally, in check, but the contrary effect
would probably result if Bakhtiaries thought expedition was moving to assist
Russians in establishing Zil-es-Sultan. Any small detachment of the strength,
of, say, 2 battalions, &c., would be in a somewhat exposed position with a line of
communication difficult of maintenance, if the Bakhtiaris were hostile. The
main source of any favourable attitude towards the British, now existing
amongst the Bakhtiaris, is the belief that we stand between them and their
complete domination by Russian and other peoples, hostile to them, and any
misunderstanding would be unfortunate.
The maintenance of the ammunition supply to the detachment at Ispahan
would be through the Bakhtiari country, therefore their attitude is a very
prominent factor in this question.
Therefore I cannot, in view of these points, consider the scheme as being,
primd facie, desirable.
Between Director of Military Intelligence No. 19523-G.—150 (?) of
July 14th, and your telegram under reply, I note a divergence (?) in that former
limits question to political pressure. Considered from this latter standpoint
my views, with which Cox is in agreement, are that the tribes between myself
and Baratoff which are chiefly affected are —
1st .—Those Pesh-i-Kuh whom I am taking steps to stiffen by the
influence of Political Officers working from Bakhtiari country situate to the
south-west. These are understood to favour the Russians.
2nd .—The Kulkurs whom, I fear, we cannot largely influence and who
are mainly pro-Turkish.
3rd. —Pusht-i-Kuh with whose ruler we are in constant touch, and
whose populace is mainly anti-Turkish.

About this item

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)' [‎376v] (757/804), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/612, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044323284.0x00009e> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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