File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎389v] (783/804)

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“ The English have had a fiasco at Kut, after they had practically reached
Baghdad. They have given up the Dardanelles after suffering great losses
Serbia and Montenegro are settled. The general military situation is excellent
and apparently there is a new offensive in Elanders.
“ My work in Ispahan may be considered finished, as the place after our
enemies were driven out of it was exhausted. After that I went on a IS-days*
journey with your brother to the Bakhtiaris and Kashgais. On our return
about the 1st October received your order [to advance. This has been delayed
as Count Kanitz declared it to be impossible, and promised us machine guns’
but unfortunately nothing came of it. Finally, I declared that I could not
wait any longer and started on 24th November. The line of advance via
Tabas had to be given up, because the rainy season and shortage of fodder
made it impassable. Instead of it I chose the Yezd-Kerman-Neh-Farah route
This road appeared to be very promising as it was reported that Nek was
unoccupied.]
“ A reconnaissance, which I undertook on camels with Winckelmann and
Waldmann into the Lut, and which ended in a successful fight at Deh Salm
against 40 English (Indians and Berberis), [produced the knowledge however
that the English have occupied the frontier from Birjand to Kuh-i-Malik
I Siah exceptionally strongly. (We miss Laban ? Winckelmann.) To break
through this position with the unwieldy caravan is impossible. From
above I have received no help in spite of all my requests and reports. The
situation in Khorasan appears more favourable; the Russians are slowly
withdrawing from there. To cover my flank towards Birjand I require however
several hundred men, and on that account I have opened up communication
with the (Bakarlus). Nevertheless, you must take into account that it will
first of all only be possible to get the gold to you. Also the technical
difficulties are immense. It seems strange that from your side neither has any
thing been done in o ur direction nor any messages sent.] I heard privately
that the Iron Cross has been bestowed upon those gentlemen whom you recom
mended. Where is the fiddle ? The cash of Dr. Becher and Laban (Winckei-
mann ?) has been saved. Everyone is passably well—would like to be on the
move forwards.
Best greetings from all.
Enclosure $o. 2.
Copy of a translation of a letter from Mr. Seiler to Mr. Niedermeyer, dated Kerman, 26th
March 1916.
“ letter of the 6th February has been brought back from Naiband I
am now trying to send it ma Birjand. In a big battle at Verdun the French
le t behind (apart fron, great losses) 30,000 prisoners. To-day's wireless are as
fSa7lt a “ b 7 barde i d an l in . flames - Condition of Ge'nerll Townsend
at K t-abAmara desperate. The Russians driyen back with heavy loss at
Bunaburg. As regards Persia, I am afraid I have only bad news to g.ye you
I he Russians have captured Erzerum, Van, Bitlis, Sarinehah-bulagh (?Saui
Ye d S m TnTh Sb ea ’ Sfanabad and Ispahan and are now advancing on
lezd (r). In Khorasan there is a detachment at—(?).
“ The English, to whom the Berberis have given notice (to quit) the service
after our fight at Deb Salm, are at Rain, Birjand, Nell, Sistan and Malik-Siah-
Roh, and are making preparations in common or jointly with Rawam-ul-
Muik in the south. General Sykes is in Bushire. Zugmeyer is in Bampur.
The Baluch tribes are quarrelling amongst each other. Nothing clear. ^
„ wa 'fh C0ramu,ucatl0u witl1 Sistan (?) is interrupted, and attempts to force
a way through forwards would be madness considering our weakness • and as
the organization of the Persian tribes is impossible owing to our ’ political
failure, the complexity of conditions, the Russian advance and English gold
German. Pl0bS * bly th ' S haVe to S ire U P our latest positions in Shiraz § and