File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎63v] (137/345)

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No. 177-Secret, dated Sibi, the 25th (received 28th) February 1916.
;p rom The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Ramsay, K.C.I.E., C.S.I
Agent to the Governor-General in Baluchistan,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and ^
Political Department.
I have the honour to forward herewith, for the information of the Govern-
ment of India, a translation of a statement, recorded by the Tahsildar, Kacha,
of one Isa Khan, a secret messenger, and of a letter intercepted hy him, on the
subject of German activity in Persia.
Enclo. 1 to Serial No. 209.
Translation of statement of Isa Khan recorded hy the Tahsildar i Kacha } on 6th February
1916 .
Isa Khan, son of Siah Hard, Jemadar, Supply and Transport Department,
now employed as secret messenger, stated as follows :—
(1) When I reached Shorgaz I met one Muhammad Khan, Ismailzai, on
his return journey from Nirmashir and was told that 8 German officers have
arrived at Bam from Kerman. They possessed 50 rifles and enlisted 300 men
at Bam. In addition to this number one Wali Muhammad Khan, son of
Sherdil Kami, entered into their service. The Germans have written Murasalas
to the following persons inviting them to Bam in order to make arrangements
for their pay, etcetra:—
(1) Mirza Khan, Narui.
(2) Kawab Khan, Bamri.
(8) Sayed Khan, Narui.
(4) Behram Khan, Baranzai.
(5) Mir Hoti Khan, Kami.
(6) Mir Lashar and Hassan Khan Kurd, Bazmani.
2. When I reached Hyderabad from Shorgaz I came to know that the
Ismailzai lashkar which had been in the direction of Khahis for raiding had
returned. The leader of this lashkar, one Isa Khan, son of Alam Khan,
Ismailzai, told me that they had been to Kerman for looting and on their
return at Khahis they came to know that Germans were busy in collecting
rations, z.£., bhoosa, barley, grain and water at stages which are <e ghairabad.”
At Khabis there were only 15 Germans, of whom only 9 were armed. They
thereupon attacked them and the Germans being fewer in number surrendered.
The Ismailzais after taking possession of their 9 weapons, which were magazine
rifles, ammunition, 50 camels and some donkeys, setting fire to their rations,
i.e., grass, barley and atta, and emptying their water casks, made them prisoners,
Prom their appearance and dress ail appealed to be Europeans. They did not
know Persian but showing their private parts to the Ismailzais they assured
them that they were Muhammadans and they were then set free. Looted
property was brought with them to their homes. When the Ismailzai Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
Mir Juma Khan learnt all this he was very angry and took possession of the
looted property saying that they did not want to have enmity with any
Government and that the property will be returned when asked for.
3. Two German officers with 400 sowars are staying at Khabis with the
intention of going to Birjand, for which place one detachment under a German
officer has already left. Germans say openly to all that they have got no
enmity against Islam but only against the British.
4. Germans have brought Khabis, Kerman and Jamal Karez under then
control and are busy in disarming the Persian subjects and collecting '
They are appointing their own men at each place and are zealously eI11813
other people on handsome pay. „
5. Germans show themselves as Muhammadans and perform “
just like “ Shias.” They load their baggage on camels and mules.