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File 3516/1914 Pt 2 'German War: Persian neutrality' [‎146r] (296/348)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (170 folios). It was created in 4 Nov 1914-5 Mar 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. .

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CONFIDENTIAL.
4
143.
O'
PERSIA
Sir W. Townley to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received December 30, G*5 p.m.)
Tehran, December 30, 1914.
(No. 388.) (December 30, 11*20 a.m.)
IN accordance with instructions contained in your telegram No. 322 of 25th
December, I asked Prime Minister yesterday afternoon how he proposed to guarantee
order and protection of life and property of Christians in Azerbaijan if Russian troops
were withdrawn, and how possibility of Turkish incursions would be met.
He replied that he proposed to employ Cossacks at Tabriz, who should number
1,200 men, and to summon about 3,000 men of the old regiments, which contain good
fighting material, making a force of about 5,000 men. He expressed his firm conviction
that there would be no disorders, and that this small force would prove amply sufficient
to cope with situation.
Azerbaijan, he added, could furnish 25,000 men, but the resources of the country
could not support more than the number named. Competent commander, even Shuja
if necessary, would be found to command force with capable European-trained officers
under him. Cossacks would keep their own officers. Situation would also be much
improved by presence of Valiahd, who would be sent to Tabriz.
His Highness stated emphatically and officially that if Turks did not evacuate )|
Persian territory after the withdrawal of Russian troops Persia would fight, and he |i
expressed his conviction that with the forces already mentioned, Cossack brigade,
gendarmerie, and tribal levies she could command, she would prove more than master
of any forces Turkey could spare to send against her. But, he added, Turkey would
evacuate Persian territory, he was convinced, though he could not positively say so
until he had seen the Ambassador after favourable answer had been received from
Petrograd.
It would be suicide of Turkey, whose position in the Mussulman world is so
distinctly shaken, to risk seeing a Moslem State arrayed against her.
By withdrawing her troops Russia would, he said sarcastically in conclusion,
achieve the end she had in view. Either Turkish pressure on her flank would be
removed or she would have Persia fighting on her side, and her troops could return
as friends.
(Repeated to Petrograd.)
72—1154]

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Content

The volume concerns diplomatic tensions between Persian, Ottoman, Russian and British Governments, at the outset of the First World War (Anglo-German war in the file). The main focus is the Russian occupation of Tabriz and Persian Azerbaijan, ending with Persia's neutrality in 1914.

The volume covers:

  • Persian neutrality and declaration of war between Turkey and Great Britain.
  • Russian troops in Azerbaijan, and their withdrawal from Tabriz.
  • British interests in Azerbaijan and Tabriz.
  • Christian minorities in Persian Azerbaijan.
  • Defeat of Shuja-ed-Dowleh in December 1914.
  • Anglo-Turkish war: departure of British Consul and British residents from Tabriz and Urmia; Persian towns occupied; movements of Turkish troops.
  • Reply of Turkish legation at Tehran to British document stating the causes to join the war, printed on the Persian newspaper Ra'd (ff 111-115).
  • Translation of an anti-British proclamation issued at Isfahan, commenting on the outbreak of hostilities between Turkey and Great Britain, signed by Mirza Abbas Yezdi (ff 123-130).
  • Looting of properties of the Russian Consul at Soujboulak [sic, in the Tabriz region] by Turkish troops.

There are some letters in French, from the Consul General for Persia at Calcutta.

The volume’s principal correspondents are: Louis du Pan Mallet and Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe, Foreign Office; Walter Beaupre Townley, British Minister at Tehran; Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; George William Buchanan, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Russia; Ernst Bristow, Acting Consul General at Isfahan.

Extent and format
1 volume (170 folios)
Arrangement

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

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 172; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 3-170; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 3516/1914 Pt 2 'German War: Persian neutrality' [‎146r] (296/348), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/479, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100051827727.0x000061> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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