File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎87v] (185/345)

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156
Telegram P v No. I. G.-2061, dated the 8th February 1916.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “D,” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
The following information regarding Kermanshah is given by the Belgian
Doctor Brunei, who, after escaping from Kermanshah on December 20th,
arrived at Basrah via Pusht-i-Kuli on February 4ith.
Although he saw no guns, he knows that several machine guns and 5 or
6 mountain guns are in possession of the Gendarmes. Up to the time he left
Kermanshah there were never more than 1,000 Gendarmes there, and only 300
or 400 men comprised the usual garrison.
When he left the following were in Kermanshah, Prince Eeuss; the
German Consul Sarre, a typical German professor and an antiquarian; in
command of troops, Major Klein. Also 3 or 4 other German officers of
unknown names ; Captain Pravitz and Captain Sonnesson, Swedish officers of
the Gendarmerie; Miss Cowden, and Beverend and Mrs. State missionaries
from America. No preparations for defending Kermanshah had been made
according to Brunei.
This telegram, repeated to Chief General Staff, is addressed to Captain
Williams.
157
Telegram P., No. 14-F., dated (and received) the 12th February 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty^ Consul for Sistan and Kain,
To —The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Please see Tehran telegram dated February 7th, No. 18-F. 300 British
regulars mounted on camels with 100 Baluchi Levies could, I believe, easily drive
Zugmayer back to Kerman, but this would be no use unless columns advanced
via Naiband from Neh and Birjand. Since February 5th we have had 50
infantry and 100 Baluchis at Dehhaneh Baghi. Being commanded by hill
while nearest camel grazing is at Gerageh 12 miles south-west this place is
not tenable.
I suggested to Colonel Wikeley to increase force somewhat from Robat
and station it'at Nasratabad Sipeh, where Ali Shah Khan’s telegraph line guard
is actively helping the Germans at present.
Wikeley seems to be hesitating between retiring present small force to
Gerageh and withdrawing it altogether to Giri and Robat.
Withdrawal will, I believe, have bad moral effect on Sarhad-i-Wakhan ?
and that if Germans try to enter Afghanistan via Giri they can do so without
our knowledge by a night march.
Sipeh is on the east edge of Lut. Fahreh is 7 marches away on the west
edge.
158
Telegram P., No. 15-F., dated (and received) the 12th February 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty^s Consul for Sistan and Kain,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
Shaukat-ul-ak-Mulk on February 5th gave Vice-Consul New to under
stand that except under express orders from Tehran he would not order his
troops to co-operate with ours. He thought Cabinet would rather dismiss
him than commit themselves in this way. He received telegrams from Tehran
Meshed on February 7th ordering him to Meshed. He has asked me to
save him the unnecessary trouble of going. I have replied that if he does
not go quietly force will be used.