File 1110/1916 Pt 1 'Persia: SITUATION (JAN-APL 1916). Miscellaneous' [‎239v] (483/550)

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to propitiate them given assistance in small way to Germans. I am extremely
doubtful that he would have given us sufficient proofs of his British partisan
ship this month and I was preparing for change of Governors but results
might have been satisfactory as we have been pressing him hard. Haig’s
information seems all to come either Irom Russian officers, uho have not the
same knowledge of Kainat as British Vice-Consul and myself, or from the
partisans of Hisam ud (Daula ?). Colonel Haig communicated to me recently
as a serious item report furnished by acquaintance of Hisam that Governor
had released Ali Akhar the spy and had given him 200 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. but this has
proved quite untrue.
I persistently icpresented last summer that Imad-ud-JVlulk was openly
assisting the Germans in Tabbas and should be punished. The Russians on the
contrary 'made him Governor. X hear to-day that in Tabbas there are 400
German sowars.
Before interfering with Kainat I think that Russians in Khorasan might
set their own houses in order.
I am, I think, entitled to protest, with all respect, against His Britannic
Majesty’s Minister’s sudden decision before I had time to submit my opinion
on the telegram from Meshed.
I consider the proposal to arrest Shaukat is most ill-advised. It would set
the whole population against us and from the point of view of the Germans,
who only seem to wish to enter Afghanistan, it would create a most opportune
diversion.
Shaukat is neither an idiot nor a fanatic. It has been his one desire to
establish a reputation for impartiality. He knows better than to undertake
active hostilities against Russia and India.
I have just heard that Hisam has married Governor-General of Khorasan’s
niece. The Governor-General’s opposition to Hisam’s appointment at Gunabad
may have been a trick merely.
101
Telegram P., No. 11-F., dated the 27th (received 29th) January 1916.
From Major F. B. Prioeaux, C.I.E., His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan
and Kain,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi. ^
Seiler despatched three letters from Dehsalm to Neh (1) to our Hazaras
(2) to Deputy Governor, (3) to people of Neh,
The last on the list w^as signed by a Sayyid. The first was brought to
Mr. Do veil, Telegraph clerk, immediately by Deputy Governor and Persian
telegraph master. To-day second and third have been given to him. Their
tone pio\es clearly that there is no collusion between Germans and Deputy
oyernor and we cannot (?) Shaukat. In his letter to Deputy Governor
Seiler refers to bombardment of Meshed Mosque.
All three letters beg for assistance against British. Though only thirty
rifles remained with Lovell at Neh when our troops moved west none met with
any response.
This furnished better proof than any bazar gossip which goes to Turbat-i-
Haidari, Meshed and Askabad (of) neutrality of Kainat officials.
102
Telegram P., No. 12-F., dated the 28th (received 29th) January 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan and Kain,
To—The Government of India in the Foreign and Polit
WinSCnris^Uo^ 1 " 0 - 8 - 5 -’ 014116 2l8t Statemeilt
Por.;?? Jan ,T/ r h Seiler and Lieutenant Waldmann left Khabis with
ns an ndiau prisoner of war. I started somewhat ? later wit]