File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎74r] (156/490)

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100
Telegram P., No. S. 856, dated the 20th August 1915.
^ From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
^ Department, Simla,
To—The Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I.,
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. , Basrah.
On the 19th instant British Minister, Tehran, telegraphed as follows,
No. 268 E.My telegram No. 276 * * * * have brought about.”
101
Telegram P., No. 79 C., dated the 20th (received 21st) August 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, Meshed,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
The following is a translation of a letter, dated August 2nd, 1915, which
was intercepted at Turbat-i-Haidari, to the address of H. S. H. Prince
Heinrich XXXI of Reuss from a German at Tun signing himself as R. K.:—
“ Your Serene Highness, I permit myself to report as follows in the name of
my chief, who has already eluded Russian pursuit, according to a report which
has just arrived—
“ (1) The party which went ahead via Tahas, Tun and Nain has missed
all news for some time.
“ (2) The Afghan frontier which is guarded by British has been happily
crossed by the Southern party. Their welcome locally was very hearty, s"o
that we can depend on receiving gratifying news from K.
“ (3) The next military action ought to be systematically directed against
base in Northern Khorasan which.the Russian troops occupy. This is under
my direction. There no field offers itself pending the completion of immediate
task of my party in Afghanistan, and care to secure shortest line of retreat
will have to be taken. The information which Your Serene Highness
possesses may serve for the formal communication that the Russians have
begun on neutral soil their operations not only by openly employing troops
but also by clearly giving out to the people that to wage war against
e Germans ’ is their fixed determination. May I submit the measures giving '
formal notice of occupation of Persian territory in the war zone for favourable
consideration of Your Serene Highness?
“ In reply to your question I obediently inform you that all are in good
health. With respectful compliments Your Serene Highness’s obediently
R. K.”
Addressed to Tehran as No. 70 and repeated to Baluchistan and Birjand.
102
Telegram P., No. F., dated the 21st (received 22nd) August 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul for Sistan and Kain,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Having learnt that Germans crossed Afghan frontier Chah Rig last night
the 19th August, Cossacks with Russian Vice-Consul returned from east of
Ahwaz. They have found out definitely that the party consisted of—(a) six
Germans including Eischer, Litten and Erederich, (b) two “Indian Princes”,
(c) two or three Turks, namely, one Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Nasib officer named Kasim Beg and
a Mulla, (d) one “ Kabuli artillery officer ” whose name is Mir Mast and five
other Afghans (Mir Mast was said to have visited Krupp Eactory to
purchase on behalf of Afghan Government 200 machine guns), (e) one Persian
named Asghar Zadeh late Chief of Police at Tun, (/) 60 Arab soldiers from
v- Baghdad, (y) 50 mules most of the laden with tents and water skins. (They ?)