File 3443/1914 Pt 2 'German War: German emissaries to Afghanistan' [‎113v] (235/490)

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Telegram P, No. 140 C., dated (and received) the 25th July 1915,
From— Major F. B. Prideaux, C.I.E., His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Sistan and
Kain,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla. ^
Clear the line. The foEowing is the text of an identical telegram which
both Russian Vice-Consul and 1 have telegraphed to our respective Legations
at Tehran '.—Begins, To-day a party of four Germans and forty Persian
sowars reached Kain. It is believed that probably another forty sowars with
machine guns are in vicinity. Word was sent by the German in command
that he was Consul; he demanded Istiqbal from people. The whole party
repaired to the residence of the Deputy Governor who received them as his
guests. They will make Birjand in all probability on 27th July. We think
that the Governor of Kainat will receive party as other Governors on the road
have received other parties of Germans. British Consul has not succeeded in
bis efforts to enlist local tribesmen to oppose this party. We are of opinion
that these Germans are proceeding to Birjand and Sistan and not to Afghanistan,
in pursuance of general plan of Germans which is to establish, in every district
of Persia, an influential party, pending the time when a hostile Persian cabinet
will embroil Persia in war on side of Germany. Recognising the fact that for
us to attack this party of Germans with our combiued escorts is in itself a
risky undertaing and that even were it to succeed, the outcome might result in
retaliatory measures against our Consulates elsewhere in Persia, while here in
Sistan itself it will be regarded by Persians as an unprovoked assault on Ger-
mans, we do not intend to take such action without specific orders from our
respective Governments. It strikes us that the longer the party is stationary
in Birjand, the grater the opportunity for us to strengthen our position and
institute effective measurses. Meanwhile we desire to lay stress on the fact
that, during next few days, the existence of small European colony here,
even with problematical active support of the Governor, will not be secure.
Both my Russian colleague and 1 venture therefore to urge that, as many
Cossacks as can be spared, should be sent at once to Birjand from Turbat-i-
Daidari, which number should be augmented by a force from India if
this is necessary. Ends. If I am mistaken as regards objective of German
parly; it appears that only Cossacks, who are now at Turbat-i-Haidari, can
intercept ttiem on Afghan frontier. Force of Afghans which I am raising
in Sistan cannot reach Birjand before August 2nd.
Addressed to Tehran as No. 48; repeated to Meshed and Baluchistan.
168
Telegram P., No. S. 724, dated the 26th July 1915.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To His Britannic Majesty's Consul for Sistan and Kain (repeated to Meshed and
Baluchistan).
My telegram No. 722 S. of 24ith July has apparently crossed your
telegram of same date.
lor following reasons we cannot at present sanction movement of troops
to Sistan from Kacha;—
(1) It would appear to be the intention of German parties in north to
unite somewhere in the vicinity of Kain or Tabas and to move probably via
Gazik into Afghanistan. Risk attaching to despatch of small force on this
long and unsupported march and to leaving Kacha garrison in a weakened
state is not justified by chance of success.
. ^ (^) 1° send troops to Sistan would place them in little better position f° r
interception of Germans and owing to attitude of Saiyids and Baluchis might
excite situation in Sistan that would be embarrassing for us and would react
on Afghanistan in an unfavourable manner.