File 1110/1916 Pt 1 'Persia: SITUATION (JAN-APL 1916). Miscellaneous' [‎264v] (533/550)

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before presenting bis proposals for a basis of discussion of such alliance.
Subject had been much discussed in political circles and His Highness, if . pro
posal was not agreeable to two Powers in the interests of his own position,
rather than run risk of seeing negotiations once commenced break dpwn owing
to indifference two Powers, would find his own pretext for not carrying matters
any further.
Nosret-ed-Dowleh in answer to my enquiry said proposal was for a defen
sive alliance for protecting interest of three Powers in Persian territory. I
pointed out that His Majesty’s Government might desire alliance, but find
price required by Persia (too high ?) and that practical thing was for him
confidentially to let me know the proposed terms. Nosret-ed-l)owleh gave the
following outline on my undertaking to represent I had obtained my knowledge
by private means.
Persia would engage to place all her resources, material and moral, and
regular and irregular forces at disposal of two Powers for defence of their
interests within Persian territory and in return ask our assistance to finance
and equip force of 50,000 (this includes 10,000 men of Cossack Brigade),
cancellation of Persian debt and a monthly subsidy of 500,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. and in
addition Persia wished for assurances that such questions as revision of tariff,
withdrawal of Russian troops, revision of treaty of Turcomanshai tenure of
land by foreigners would be dealt with in a friendly spirit at the end of the
war.
Parma Parma according to Nosret-ed-Dowleh admitted that these proposals
were practically those put forward by the late Prime Minister, but though they
quite expected to have to abate their pretensions Government could not ask
for less.
I told Nosret-ed-Dowleh I felt sure Petrograd would not listen to can
cellation of whole debt and I feared that monthly subventions, which he said
came in all to about one million two hundred and fifty thousand tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. , would
be considered excessive. He replied Parma Parma considered it as matter of
bargaining and if both parties wished to reach an arrangement, one capable of
adjustment.
He added that to talk of Persia’s resources sounded ridiculous of course,
but Prime Minister was confident that he could mobilize all western tribes
against Turks provided alliance was concluded. Result would be of unques
tionable value merely if it saved Russian troops from constant harrying if
Parma Parma can make good this assurance.
I think that alliance is worth having apart from this. Presuming that list
given by Nosret-ed-Dowleh of questions to be discussed after war is complete,
Russia, which is chiefly concerned by them to judge from rather vague comments
of Russian Minister, is not likely to raise any serious objections, and I do not
think that we need do so. Prom a Persian point of view other deziderata are
questions of money. I do not think Government hope seriously for cancellation
of debt while they seem to be ready to cut down subvention. Even if it is not
reduced a year’s subvention is less than cost to us alone of a single day’s war.
Value to us of alliance is that German hope of Islamic Union is killed,
while locally we put end to JPersian{?) neutrality which means in Persian eyes
allowing enemy to do what he likes and substituting for it positive duty of
taking action against that enemy.
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Telegram No. 38-F., dated the Uth (received 15th) January 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Russian troops occupied Kangavar yesterday.