File 160/1916 Pt 1 'Persia: MILITARY OPERATIONS 1916. Sir P SYKES' mission. Kawam.' [‎298r] (15/404)

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From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
T° Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E , 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 (repeated to Major Trevor, Bushire).
The following telegram, No. 202, dated the 1st April, received from His
Majesty’s ^Minister, Tehran:— Begins. The despatch of Earman Earma
* * considerable immediate advantages. Bnds.
Please telegraph your views.
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Telegram P., No. 28 C., dated the 4th (received 6th) April 1916.
From —Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Sykes, K.C.I.E., C.M.G., Bunder Abbas,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla (repeated Tehran, Cox, Trevor, Sistan). ^
Please refer to telegram, 202 F., from Minister, Tehran.
The situation has been profoundly modified by the appointment of
ifarm.m Farma and the success of the Kawam. If Farman Parma is <nven
arms and ammunition, as I strongly recommend, I would suggest moyin^with
arms and ammunition and police to effect junction with his force at° some
centre to be decided upon, the escort being strengthened, in the event of
Germans not having been dispersed.
Police would be developed subsequently under favourable condition of the
year at Kerman.
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Telegram P., No. SO C., dated the 6th (received 7th) April 1916.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Sykes, K.C.I.E., C M.G., Bunder Abbas,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla (repeated Tehran, Bushire and Sistan).
Please see your telegram No. 5 S. Success of Kawam at Lar has
changed situation profoundly. It is also reported that Germans have fled from
Kerman.
As Kawam declined to Minister and to Cox to await my arrival and to be
openly associated with us and as Government of India decided that it was
inadvisable to press the matter, I did not visit Kawam.
As regards the present position, I am recruiting as fast as I can handle
men and opening up relations in every direction. That a police force can be
raised there is every reason to believe. In this respect appointment of Farman
Farma to Kerman is of immence importance.
In view of the instructions from the Home authorities, which were issued
however before recent favourable turn of events, it is my strong recommenda
tion that the recruit(s ?) infantry and artillery instructors, guns, &c., be left
at Bunder Abbas, if mission be first employed attack Germans and rebels.
Mounted men cannot be enlisted locally and I should then have balance
of 35 Indian sabres available. Mounted section machine guns, squadron of
cavalry and 100 infantry would be required to increase this escort. Unless
considerable time for training is available, machine guns without trained
personnel are useless.
With this escort I can either support Kawam or join Farman Farma
taking with me in either case the 500 rifles and 250,000 rounds of ammunition
already with me. Please see my telegram of the 4th April, No. C. 28, in this
connection.
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Letter.
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