File 3516/1914 Pt 18 'German War: Persia; general situation - 1916' [‎133v] (279/368)

After all you should reflect how long can the people wait ? For the last
two months the Mujahidin have been restrained, and Your Excellency is being
kept at Bushire without knowing what to do. Of course after becoming
despondent of the steps by the Government, the nation will certainly take
action. The English have been always soothing the “ nation ” and Govern
ment with political devices, stratagems and lies. The nation having realised
this will proceed to take such action as it is in duty bound to take.
186
Telegram P., No. 154, dated (and received) the 9th December 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
On December 4th following arrived from Ispahan at Yezd.
20 Germans and Austrians, 60 sowars, 80 loaded mules.^ Wireless tele
graphy set up. Date German Consul at Ispahan, Seiler, is said to be of party
which is said to be shortly moving on. n ^ „
Bepeated to Sistan, Meshed, and Kerman ; addressed to Foreign Ofkce.
187
Telegram F., No. 519-F., dated the 9th (received 10th) December 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment!, Delhi.
(Addressed to Foreign Office ; repeated India and Petrograd.f
Please see my telegram No. 513. To-day Prime Minister asked us to send
dragomans to see him. He told them that expressions of public opinion against
alliance and in favour of neutrality both in Capital and Provinces were so strong
that he feared that he could not run counter to it. He asked what news
Russian Minister had from Hamadan. He appeared much relieved at learning
strong body of rebels had been routed by Russians. ^
I am inclined to think that, while sincerely anxious to conclude alliance.
His Highness wishes to await result of Russian operations and to see what
effect will be produced on public opinion by decisive defeat of rebels before
communicating conditions to us. . , j. £ t> 1 •
I also believe that a sudden change of attitude on the part of Bakhtiari
which has caused the unwary much concern has much shaken his confidence of
being able to bring about alliance. . .
To-morrow Russian Minister and I are to see Prime Minister. Chances of
alliance are growing very slender It is now only possible if we make largest
concessions to Persian demands.
188
Telegram P., No. 2997-B., dated the 9th (received ICth) December 1915.
From—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. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi,
(Repeated to the Secretary of State for India and Foreign Department j addressed Tehran.)
Attitude of Bakhtiaris Please see your telegram of 3rd instant. No. 382. ^
On o-round that there is likelihood of Germans with assistance of Bakht iaris
making attack Sir John Nixon is being pressed by Directors of Oil Company
through Secretary of State for India to send some troops to old oil (?) fields
settlement. Ilkhnai and 111 Begi according to our information are on the way
down to low country where Sheikh of Mohammerah is going to meet them
primarily in order to dissuade them against interference m Lirawi tract. There
is thus no local information pointing to probability of any sudden attack on oil
field, while on the other hand there are no troops that can be spared _ by Army
commander who moreover thinks that sending troops into Bakhtian territory