File 1110/1916 Pt 2 'Persia: SITUATION Miscellaneous' [‎58r] (120/276)

an entire surprise to all concerned. They first murdered the Besidency Agent,
as he was leaving a coffee house in the bazaar, then his two brothers, who
came to see what was going on, then divided into two parties, one of which
attacked the unsuspecting Guard of Sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , killing two and wounding three,
and the remainder attacking Deputy Governor in his house and also firing on
the house of the Quarantine Doctor (Dr. Johnstone). Deputy Governor put up
a good fight, as bullet marks, etc., in his house show, and claims to have killed
the ringleader with his own rifle. The majority of his guard appear to have
run away or hidden. At that time mutineers had possession of two corner
towers of his fort. Shortly afterwards they appear to have left the town, but
in the confusion no one can tell me exactly when. Authentic news has been
received that convoy with arms and ammunition for Kawam is safe and had
not been attacked by mutineers who had gone by the coast road. I suggested
endeavours to track them and obtain reliable information where they really
were. At 4-30 p.m. I went on shore to interview Deputy Governor with
Vice-Consul and various officials, and had some prisoners (one wounded)
interrogated in my presence, hut could get little information from them.
Deputy Governor agreed to send parties out to search for tracks and otherwise
trace mutineers (this should have been done before;, but they undoubtedly
scared and scattering and being 'Tangistanis are endeavouring to return to
Tangistan. I made efforts to discover the motive of the mutiny, but failed
to get any direct evidence, but it was undoubtedly political and directed
against British Government, probably by German influence working on the
naturally hostile feelings of Tangistanis regarding recent incidents near
Bushire. The wisdom of continuing to employ Tangistanis in positions of trust
and importance under present conditions appears doubtful.
I consider it a matter of importance to add that, in my opinion (I have not
heard this put forward at all and possibly should not be supported in it), the
immediate and direct cause of the outbreak is the recruiting campaign at
present being carried on by Sir Percy Sykes for his Persian Police Force which
raised suspicions, and, coupled with some German intrigue, caused the
Tangistanis, who were nominally loyal, to turn against us at the last and
bring off this coup. The attitude and vacillation of Lingah men when recently
requested to join this force tends to confirm this opinion.
Prom what I gather from General Sykes, it is not intended that this force
should be of any use to us during this war, but to police Persia after peace is
declared. Supposing my theory to be correct, it seems a pity to involve
matters at present for a force which is to be of no use to us till after this war.
I should like to bring to your notice the conduct of Dr. Johnstone
(Quarantine Doctor) who was the only white man present and who appears to
have behaved admirably and kept cool and collected when all the remainder
lost their heads. Also, although being fired at himself, he at once went into
the worst part of the town to the assistance of the mortally wounded Besi
dency Agent when he heard he was wounded.
I left Lingah for Henjam on evening of 10th in order to get into wireless
and telegraph touch and as there appeared to be no further necessity for a
ship there. In this the Vice-Consul concurred.
Enclosure No. 3.
No. 112 C., dated Busdire, the 15th April 1916 (Confidential).
p rom Major A. P. Tkevor, C.I.E., 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
rp 0 Commodore, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Division, Bushire.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 025, dated
loth April 1916, forwarding a copy of a letter of Proceedings from H.M.S.
Philomel”.
2. Captain Hall Thompson gives a very interesting account of the
outrage at Lingah, and I am much obliged to you for letting me have a copy,
as it is the first detailed report I have yet seen.