File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎70r] (150/345)

1 was complying ■with them as was fitting from a well-wisher of the Government
and of the Persian nation, Now that orders are being received that I should
stop instigations by the German parties, indeed I am, to the extent of my
power, taking necessary steps to search out the modes of their communications,
e g., to discover the places of their staying and their ways of crossing through
the country, and to destroy their communications and I will stop them. If clearer
instructions are also received from the Government, immediate steps wall of
course be taken. This is my.idea which I have stated without any reserve. I
state, however, that if His Britannic Majesty’s Minister wishes to replace me by
Amir Hisam-ud-Dauleh at the desire of the Russian Minister, I shall not be
grieved at all, because indeed he must consider the furthering of the Govern
ment’s objects to be in this -way ; and nothing further can be said.
After explaining my views as I have done, I state briefly below my
replies to the other sentences :—■
(1) British Government officers, since the time of Major Sykes and
thereafter, have always been and are my friends. I have always
safeguarded my friendship with them and will do so, and I do
not suppose that a different idea will ever enter my mind. I am
also very grateful for the kindness shown by His Britannic
Majesty’s Slinister two years ago.
(2) I have been, and am, obedient to orders of my Government. When
the inclination of the Persian Government is known, it is not
needed to ascertain my inclination.
(3) You may kindly specify what are the convincing proofs which I
should give.
(4) I do not think that Colonel Ali Naqi Khan, Basir-i-Nizam or Prince
Mohamed Taqi Mirza are pro-Germans, because they are at
present my subordinates, and if you can satisfy yourself about
me you may rest assured about them too. Apart from this they
have not got so much influence among their men (as to be able to
lead them contrary to my wishes).
I say only this much in conclusion, that regarding the £ear of the
Germans, which you impute to me in your second paragraph, I do not
admit it at all, and so far I have never had any fear in any way nor do I now
have it, because my nature is somewhat repugnant to this attribute.
The remarks which I have made in this ietter you will I hope convey to
the Minister. I consider a separate representation to him would be lacking in
respect to you. I will refer only to the sentence which has been telegraphed
by the Minister to you that it is necessary that I should get rid of my prejudice
and anti-Russian bias. As to this I say that I have at no time ventured to
oppose them, and have no bias against them now also. The antagonism has
always been commenced by the Russian Government officials. The acts of
Baron Tcherkassof during the time of his appointment here against me will
indeed be recorded in the archives of the British Consulate. You are also fully
aware of the manner of writing of M. Romanovski and of his behaviour in
Sistan against me, continued up to the termination of his appointment when
he went away without wishing me good-bye. There is no secret also about the
mode of arrival of the Russian troops into Kain city, their disarming my
private servants in Sailani and looting their property, and then finally killing
an efficient servant of mine (Kerbelai Muhammad Ishaq) and killing a
‘ sarban ’ and not presenting themselves for the settlement of these matters in
discussion.
Lastly, you are surely also aware of the arrival of M. de Bravine (the
present Consul), his insulting the Deputy Governor of Kain City (Mirza
Assadullah Khan) and his not visiting me, as usual, in the early days of his
arrival. Notwithstanding all this my friendly relations with M. de Bravine are
still in evidence. So where is the prejudice and bias that I have displayed
against Russian Government officials ?
Tlsual ending.
MOHAMMED IBRAHIM.