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File 3516/1914 Pt 18 'German War: Persia; general situation - 1916' [‎59r] (126/368)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (175 folios). It was created in 17 Nov 1915-18 Feb 1916. It was written in English and French. 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. .

Transcription

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9
As in your telegram above mentioned, you informed me that His Majes
ty’s Government had decided not to negotiate with the Khans on the terms
proposed by them, it seemed to me unnecessary to telegraph this message to
you.
I am, however, sending a copy to you, and one to the Government of
India, so that Major O’Cornor’s views may be known. It is unnecessary for
me to comment on the telegram, and so I will not trouble you with any
remarks, beyond observing the Khans are doing more than holding these
prisoners up to ransom : they are attempting to arrogate to themselves the
powers, or at all events some of the powers, of the Persian Government.
Sub-enclo. to Serial No. 254,
Draft Telegram.
Telegram Sd., dated the 6th December 1915.
From—Major W. F. O'Connor, C.I.E., Consul at Shiraz,
To—Minister, Tehran.
Copy Poreign, Simla.
With regard to proposed exchange of prisoners might I venture to urge
that attempt should be made to arrange this matter direct with Khans of
Tangistan on conditions fiist proposed, namely, our release in return for release
of German and Persian subjects deported from or confined on Persian terri
tory and repayment of monies confiscated from Khans. There are eight
Europeans including Dr. Azzopardy and Mr. Christmas now held prisoners in
South Persia, one Ceylonese British subject and some thirteen or more Indians.
Private and Government property confiscated on botn sides would presumably
be exchanged at same time. Amount of such property at Shiraz is very
considerable.
With regard to question of Bushire I venture to suggest that A"our
Excellency should endeavour to arrive at mutually satisfactory arrangement
with Persian Government simultaneously. There is no doubt that some suit
able arrangement could be devised and in any case nothing could be more
unsatisfactory than present situation involving as it does complete stoppage
of trade and perpetuating hostilities with Khans and people of Southern Persia.
In case objection "should be raised to negotiating directly with Khans
regarding exchange of prisoners might I venture to point out that similar cases
have occurred in other countries where British subjects have been held to
ransom in which case negotiations have necessarily had to be held with per
sons in actual possession of captives and terms made with them.
I venture in conclusion respectfully to submit that conditions under which
we are forced to live are such as render life very difficult for Europeans and
that in case of sickness most elementary necessaries and comforts are entirely
lacking.
Addressed Minister, Tehran, repeated Government of India.
255
Telegram No. 308S-B., dated the 22nd December 1915.
From—The Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Basrah, ^
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Please see Deputy Besident’s letter No. C.-439, dated 13th December to
your address. I am of opinion that the matter is one which should be dealt
with by the Government of India and beg that no action be taken on it except
to forward it to Government of India in the Poreign Department for treatment.
Addressed Political, Bombay, repeated Poreign and Bushire,

About this item

Content

The volume concerns the situation in Persia during the First World War. The main focus is the Persian protests against violation of their country's neutrality, British and Russian responses to Persian nationalism, and their attempts to influence the Shah and the Majlis deputies during the events that happened in November 1915.

The volume covers:

  • Advance of Russian troops on Kashan and Tehran.
  • Situation at Kermanshah between August and November 1915.
  • Dismissal of Swedish Commandment of Gendarmerie.
  • Persian Gendarmerie.
  • Arrest of the British Consul at Shiraz by Le Comité National pour la protection de l'Indépendance Persane in November 1915.
  • German and Turkish interests.
  • United States Minister at Tehran's attitude.
  • 'Report on the seizure of the Shiraz Colony' (ff 130-132).
  • Terms proposed by Khans for release of British prisoners at Shiraz.
  • Situation in Bushire.
  • British Consulate at Bunder Abbas moved to Kerman.
  • Kerman branch of Imperial Bank of Persia reported to have been looted.
  • Russian operations on the Caucasian and Persian fronts.
  • Report of Vice Consul on the evacuation of Hamadan.
  • Prisoners at Bushire and Shiraz.
  • Intercepted letter from Wilhelm Wassmuss to Helmuth Listemann, regarding British prisoners at Bushire.
  • Events in the provinces.
  • Capture of Turkish Ambassador at Tehran by the Russians.

The volume’s principal correspondents are: Charles Marling, British Minister at Tehran; Esme Howard, British Ambassador to Sweden; Bertie of Thame, British Ambassador to Italy; Mohtashem-es-Sultaneh, Persian Commissioner on the Turco-Persian Frontier; Alfred Hamilton Grant, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India; Percy Cox, 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 Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Arthur Prescott Trevor, 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 Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; British Consuls at Yazd, Kerman (C T Ducat), Sistan and Kain (Francis Beville Pridaux), Batoum (P Stevens), Hamadan (N Patrick Cowan), Shiraz (William Frederick Trevors O'Connor) ; American Minister at Tehran; Arthur Hirtzel, 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. ; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Shaikh Hussein of Chahkutah; Imperial Bank of Persia.

There is a document in French, an ultimatum addressed to the British Consul at Shiraz by Le Comité National pour la protection de l'Indépendance Persane. There are newspaper extracts, from Jam-e Jam', Tazineh, Tiflisky Listok, and Hayat.

Extent and format
1 volume (175 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 175; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 3516/1914 Pt 18 'German War: Persia; general situation - 1916' [‎59r] (126/368), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/493, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044734590.0x00007f> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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