File 3443/1914 Pt 3 'German War: Afghanistan and Persia; German agents; British troops in East Persia' [‎165r] (341/345)

7
There is nothing to report to-day.
160
Telegram P., No. bOS-F. } dated the 4th (received 5th) December 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To-The Secretaryto^the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart-
(Addressed Foreign Office; repeated India, Petrograd.)
Clear line, _ Of extent of General Nixon’s reverse I have not exact
, ledg'c. lmt it appears to have been far more serious than indicated in any
telegram I have received yet judging from Viceroy’s telegram No. 118 yesterday 7
If this is so chance of concluding an alliance with Persia is affected mos 7 ’
unfavourably. Baghdad being relieved and Nixon being in no position fo^the
present presumably to resume advance I submit it may be assumed enemy
will devote all his attention to his main objective that is forcing Persia into
war againt us. This will be best achieved by sending into Persia all troops
that can be spared from watching Nixon with practical certainty of rais
ing at least western provinces against Entente. Appearance of Turkish Armv
reinforced by gendarmerie and by local levies already being collected will
fire Persia with hope of dnvmg out Pvussians. This combined with promises
held out by Germans as stated in your telegram No. 427, will make it extremely
hard for any Cabinet to join us except on terms of a most attractive nature.
We nave in fact to outbid Grerman terms so heavily as to outweigh dis
advantages of military position in which in Persian eyes we shall be if and
when the Turkish force appears here.
How many Eussian troops are now in Persia I do not know hut accounts
have placed them at a far lower figure than we have been led to expect.
Eussian Minister believes that Grand Duke intends to send altogether 40 000.
This will be none too many in contingency I foresee.
Having twice put us off Prime Minister now promises to inform us on
Monday of Persian requirements but I have learned direct that points beino-
considered by Cabinet are as follows:—
First. Cession of Persian territory embracing holy places including (Khadi-
main) ? Haramain, viz.^ Baghdad. Second. Cancellation of all Persia’s debts to
Great Britain and Eussia Third. Two Pow T ers to supply arms and ammuni
tion for 50,000 men. Fourth. Large monthly subvention during war. Fifth.
Abrogation of 1907 convention. Sixth. Stipulations of 1911 ultimatum to be
cancelled. Seventh. Large modifications of treaty (of) Turkomanchai. Eighth.
Loan of 8 million pounds to be arranged after w^ar by international syndicate.
Ninth. Eevision of tariff. Tenth. In Persia foreigners to possess real estate
on same conditions as exist in Turkey. Eleventh. Two Powers to guarantee
independence and integrity of Persia.
Of course I have warned Prime Minister against makiog exhorbitant terms
such as point 1, but I have ao great confidence that he will be strong enough
to stand firm against pertinacious pro-German party in Cabinet, possibly
whole list may be presen ted to us.
If my appreciation of Nixon’s position and its consequences is approxi
mately correct immediate acceptance of Persian terms it appears to me affords
only hope of securing alliance, but even so, considering opportunity there
will be for pro-Germans to prolong negotiations chance is not rosy.
A regards point tw r o (one ?) I would remark that when Nixon is again
able to advance Bakbtiari (interest in ?) holy places would secure us the support
of any number of tribesmen.
On the other hand his communications along Tigris with Frontier
tribesmen ( ? actively) hostile would be very seriously hampered to say least
of it.
164
Telegram P., dated (and received) the 5th December 1915.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Kerman,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.