File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎138r] (286/345)

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effect here on Cabinet who are a good deal perturbed (to see ?) we leave our
interests to be protected by troops furnished by Eussia.
50
Telegram P., No. 4-F., dated (and received) the 16th January 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Consul for Sistan and Kain,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
(Addressed to Tehran.)
Can you state probable number of German forces which left Ispahan for
Yezd ? Travellers by Caravan which passed through Naiband and just reached
Birjand, say forces which have reached Yezd, number 6,000.
51
Telegram P., No. 11, dated the 16th (received 17th) January 1916.
From—His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
A cartridge factory An East India Company trading post. ? which is ? working day and night ceremoniously (con
tinually ?), has been started at Ispahan.
52
Telegram R., No. 190-B., dated the 16th (received 17th) January 1916.
From—The Hon'ble the 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,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Deference Bushire telegrams 58 and 123.
Situation is very confused at moment but past experience of Soulet’s
indecisive character makes it unlikely that he will show open or active hostility
towards us. It is evident, however, that we can expect no co-operation from
him.
I believe that occupation of Ispahan by Eussians would remove Bakhtiari
question finally from sphere of anxiety and would probably have a sobering
effect on situation in Ears but Jamshedi ? might stimulate Gendarmerie and
hostile element to a (forty thousand) combined ? effort against Bushire. In
any case, however, there seems to be no immediate possibility of Eussians reach
ing Ispahan so we must exclude contingency from present calculations.
As regards Kawam Minister states to-day that he is now at Lar and will
proceed to Bunder Abbas in order to get in touch with Tehran. Trevor was
not aware of this when he sent his telegram No. 123. It is therefore clear
that Kawam can be of no present help to us in connection with situation near
Bushire. On the other hand if present unsatisfactory situation is prolonged
he may, if assisted by us with money and munitions of war in consultation
with Central Government, be able to recover Shiraz for latter in Spring. . I
suggest his son-in-law now at Bunder Abbas should be directed to fetch him
speedily to Bunder Abbas where plans can be satisfactorily discussed.
As regards Bushire hinterland I agree with Trevor that Gendarmerie
and hostile Khans will now in all probability turn their attention to Bunder
Eig and Bushire direction. As regards Bunder Eig I think we should keep
Khans spirits up by keeping a man-of-war in evidence there and maintaining
close touch with them. As regards Bushire, position now requires vigilant
watching and possibility of having to strengthen garrison must be contempla
ted. General Staff here are going into question of Turkish captured weapons
but I fear very little is available as it is required ? elsewhere.
Addressed Foreign; repeated Tehran and Bushire*
•'O.fc