File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎92v] (193/490)

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based on the assumption that I was recruiting men foi sei\ice in the Russian
zone of influence. This objection is no longer valid. All that has been done
by me so far is to recall some ex-soldiers who had served in the Indian Armv
(supplemented by a few of their relations) for the protection in Birjand of f
British interests.* The services of these men will be confined to British sphere. ~
It is a fact that originally I thought that I might require services of these men
at Meshed, but that was at a time when I understood that Meshed would
be without troops and that Russian Consul-General was not sending for
more Cossacks. I readily acceded to the request of Prideaux, when 1 dis.
covend that Cossacks were coming and I would respectfully point out that, in
regard to the employment by us of ex-soldiers of the Indian Army in our
zone, objection of Russian Government is inadmissible.
Repeated to His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, No. 67, and to
British Vice-Consul, Birjand.
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Telegram P., No. 90, dated (and received) the 3rd August 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
The following telegram has been repeated to Birjand, as No. 43, and
Meshed, as No. 40 :—
“Please refer to Birjand telegram No. 102 C. to India.
“Russian Minister has wired insisting on prime necessity for good
behaviour and avoidance of any action calculated to excite local hostility.”
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Telegram P., No. 165 C., dated the 3rd (received 4th) 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.
Please refer to my telegrams, Nos. 58 and GG. Though they are still
very friendly with us, the Governor, Karguzar, and Finance Agent are furious
with the Russians and they declare—(I) that the estate agent of Governor,
who was w r ounded near Kain and has since died, was killed not by the Germans
but by the Cossacks; (II) that alter his house was rifled and even his pillow
ripped open; (III) that Cossacks with their horses are in mosque itself into
which they have piled the (goods r) captured from the Germans and that the
school adjoining mosque is a building situated lower than mosque; that the
Ccssacks a]e insulting the women ; that a search has been made of the offices
of Revenue Director and being in fear of his life the Revenue officer has
come to Birjnnd.
A request has been made by the local authorities for us to make a full
enquiry. For the death of his employe the Governor says that he must have
satisfaction and that if Persians under his rule are treated as enemies the
whole district w r ill be in a ferment.
The only alternative is, I believe, to order all Cossacks to leave the
Kainat District till such time as the enemy again enter it. If Russians can
with an advance post at Tabas place a coraon along the Turbat-i-Haidan
Juma in Tun Duhuk and Naiband line, this province will be protects
I effiectively without occupying it. The two Vice-Consuls might, alter tie
Russian troops have left Kain, commence enquiries and ascertain wia
irregularities were actually committed. Because Monsieur Samsonon wi
reach Kain about 7th instant, Monsieur Romanovski is now apparen J
unwilling to go. Unless Mr. New starts earlier with Monsieur M., I P ro P 0S
arranging for him to arrive on the same date.
Addressed Tehran as No. 70, and repeated to Meshed and Baluchistan.