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File 3516/1914 Pt 7 'German War: Persia' [‎72v] (149/519)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (257 folios). It was created in 20 Mar 1915-3 Dec 1915. 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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Tor some time past it has been evident that the Germans have been
completely successful and have absolutely “ nobled ^ the gendarmerie. In
the circumstances, during the present war, it seems to me hardly to be supposed
that the corps will behave in a genuinely neutral manner towards us, whatever
assurances the Commandant and other officers may give us.
On the other hand, were the gendarmerie in the South to be removed or
to melt away, it might be possible, when the war is over, .to get Russia and
the Persian Government to agree to a gendarmerie with British officers in
the South. The immediate result of the disappearance of the gendarmerie
would most probably be robberies and raids on the road, but with the help of
Sow let and Kawam and by subsidizing the Khans, this ought to be kept
within limits, at a great deal less expenditure than would be incurred in
bolstering up the gendarmerie.
In any case, what with German activities and pro-Turkish intrigues, it
looks as if Persia is in for a period ot anarchy until the end of the war*
gendarmerie or no gendarmerie.
In the circumstances, I venture to submit that, in my humble opinion,
to land any more money for the gendarmerie would merely be throwing good
money after bad.
Addressed to Tehran; repeated to Shiraz, Basrah and Foreign by post.
Enclosure No. 3.
Telegram, No. 85—554, dated the 6th June 1915.
From—The Officer on Special duty, Bushire,
To—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran.
Shiraz, 170.* I was expecting Sir Percy Cox to send his views on this;
* „ , „ , , matter, but he has not done so, presumably
on account ot his absence up the river.
I have ventured therefore to put forward the point of view of this Resi
dency in my telegram No. 215 C., as it appears from the records, but with
considerable diffidence, because, when I left Bushire before, the subject of
discussion did not exist, and now, on my return, I find it in bad odour and
have never had opportunity of seeing it at its best.
Addressed Tehran; repeated Basrah, Shiraz and Foreign by post.

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Content

The volume concerns the Persian Gendarmerie in southern Persia (Fars), and the pro-German feelings of the Swedish officers who were part of it.

The volume covers:

  • Accusations against Swedish officers employed by the Persian Gendarmerie in Fars, suggesting that they have been abandoning their neutrality to support German interests.
  • Anti British attitude of Swedish officers; request for their withdrawal.
  • Consignment of arms and ammunitions at Bushire, for the use of the Persian Gendarmerie.
  • List of Swedish officers in service for the Persian Gendarmerie.
  • Alleged intrigues by Major Previtz and other Swedish officers.
  • Conditions offered to the Swedish officers of the Gendarmerie for their withdrawal from Fars.
  • Proposed subvention for the Gendarmerie.
  • Situation at Tehran.

The volume’s principal correspondents are: Charles Hardinge, Viceroy 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. ; Walter Beaupre Townley and Charles Marling, British Ministers at Tehran; the Swedish Legation in London; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Esme Howard, British Consul at Stockholm; Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe and Maurice de Bunsen, Foreign Office; Thomas William Holderness and 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. ; William Frederick Travers O'Connor, British Consul at Shiraz; George Buchanan, British Ambassador in Russia.

The volume contains some letters in French, from the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and from Gustav Edwall and Gustav Hjalmar Previtz, Persian Gendarmerie.

Extent and format
1 volume (257 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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 259; 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 and French in Latin script
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File 3516/1914 Pt 7 'German War: Persia' [‎72v] (149/519), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/484, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100047817321.0x000096> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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