File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎86r] (182/345)

and Kerman it is impossible with the small force I have at my disposal to
close all roads from the east between Sistan and Birjand and simultaneously
shut the door into Sistan. It would be possible for a strong party of 150 men
and upwards to get through without my being able to intercept them. Should
this happen and as Birjand is most susceptible to attack from the east I would
consider it advisable to recall the Birjand detachment to rejoin me in Sistan.
On the attitude of the Afghans on this border will depend subsequent events.
Our position in Sistan and Bo bat must eventually become precarious if they
prove hostile.
Addressed Chief of the General Staff; repeated Division, Quetta.
148
Telegram P., No. 314-D. S., dated the 8th February 1916.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi,
To—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul for Sistan and Kain.
(Repeated to Baluchistan.)
Tehran telegraphs as follows, dated February 7th :— Begins. Seiler
according to * * * ^ e j r preparations. End of message.
149
Telegram R., No. 319, dated the 9th ( received 10th) February 1916.
From—The Deputy 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. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
(Addressed to Foreign ; repeated to Tehran and Basrah.)
My telegram No. 56-266. Nazim has reached Bastak and reports that
Kawam writes from Bidshahr February 2nd that Soulet who was at Chah
Kazimi 15 farsaks from Bidshahr wrote message of which following is a
translation “ Outwardly and inwardly he is ready and eager for any kind of
assistance.”
Kawam says that he himself proposes to advance on Shiraz after 16 days
when intense cold will be over. He says he cannot come to Bunder Abbas as
his departure will be misinterpreted by friend and foe alike. Personally I
think that he is right in not leaving his enemies a clear field, Vice-Consul
at Bunder Abbas suggests that either Nazim should come here on behalf of
Kawam or he, Vice-Consul, might be authorised to proceed to Bidshahr and see
Kawam. I think former course preferably.
Soulet may be playing with Kawam, but in any case it would appear that
Soulet has not yet definitely thrown in his lot with enemy.
150
Telegram R., No. 92-F., dated the 9th (received 10th) February 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi. \
(Addressed to Foreign Office ; repeated to India, Basrah and Petrograd.)
Turkish Ambassador with Austrian Military Attache and two Austrian
officers, escaped prisoners of war from Transcaspia, have been arrested by
Bussian troops while on shooting expedition near Kerrej.