File 464/1917 Pt 2 'Persia: Bushire hinterland situation' [‎105v] (217/600)

Thev have written in tlieir notice that the German Government has hr-
come so desperate that it is sinking ships. This shows the terrible results
that are being inflicted on the English. They did their best to get the neu
trals to object to the operations of our submarines, and particularly hoped that
the United States of America would join in the war against us. But they did
not succeed in this object.
We know that this submarine campaign is difficult for neutraLs, and we
were willing to stop it, provided the English did not stop the traffic of neutral
ships with us. But the English claim ascendency in all the seas, search ever*
ship, and take it to their ports. They even seize neutral mails too.
One result of this common war will be that the ascendency of English
Government at sea will be crushed, and the world will be freed.
It is true that we and our Allies have taken Belgium, Serbia and
Montenegro, and there would have been no harm if they had added Rumania
in the Notice, and also a great part of Erance and as much of Russia as is
greater than half of Germany. We did not make this war out of greed, but
were forced to fight in self defence. We did not force any of small countries
to join us in the war, as the English and French are now trying to force Greece
to be sacrificed for their designs.
If it, is a question of greed, the Persians need not go far to enquire. They
need only think of the actions of Russia and England towards Persia before
the war, and the policy of England in India, and towards Maskat, Bahrain,
Kuwait, E^ypt, Sudan and the Boers in Transvaal, or the partition of Tripoli,
Algeria and Morocco between France and Italy.
If it is a question of humanity, the Persians and Mussalmans should
remember the shelling of the dome and shrine of Imam Reza, and the hang
ing of Lhiqat-ul-Islam in Tabriz by Russians on Ashura day, and the bombard
ment by the English of unfortified villages and small ports of the Persian
Coast and of Diiwar, and the burning of boats and setting fire to Ohoghadak,
where there was only a single oid woman, all of which took place in peace
time and on neutral soil. It is expected that no one will now be deceived by
the fictitious laws of warfare and humanity made by the English. Such state
ment at this time merely indicate their impotence.
Wassmuss,
The Imperial German Consul at Ahram*
Enclosure No. 2.
Dated the 19th Jamadi, I 1335 (13th March 1917).
From —Zair Khidhar Khan, Tangistani,
To—His Excellency Darya Begi, Governor of the Gulf Ports, Bushire.
May your shadow never become less upon my head (sarcastic) l
I have seen the letters which you have written to the headmen of
Khabidu and Bunju in Baraki. I know that Your Excellency knows the
character of these people very well, and that you have been forced to write
these letters, winch will have no result except the disturbing of peace, and
that you have been actuated by others in doing so.
In the first place, I will give an account of my visit to Baraki. I left for
that place at the earnest request and entreaties of the Kadkhudas and men of
Baraki. When I reached there, it seemtd as if they were in a boisterous sea
and surrounded by ferocious wolves, who were about to prey upon them. On
mv arrival at Karri, I called on all the mischievous mob of men from Dasht],
whom both parties had collected around themselves, to disperse. I effected a
reconciliation between Muhammad Haji (of Salimabadeh) and Zair Haji (of
Karri) and obtained an undertaking trom both of them, that I might shed
their blood, if they gave asylum to any mischief-making person, or were
otherwise than friendly with each other. In order that the relations of those