File 200/1928 Pt 7 'Anglo-Persian Treaty Negotiations' [‎339r] (9/620)

1.
(E. 5359/208/34) .
TO TERSI/U
Cypher telegram to Mr. Hoare. (Tehran).
Foreign Office. 15th October, 193^. 5.<i0 p.m.
pc. 103.
IMPQKThNTo
Your telegrams Nos. 139 (of September E4th) and
149 (of September 29th - Hen jam and Anglo-persian
negotiations).
1. It is difficult to be quite sure from various
statements made now seriously Persian request for evacua
tion of Hen jam must be regarded, and whether we must
really be prepared to evacuate and now embark on
immediate expenditure elsewhere. In any case, however,
it is essential without further delay to bring the
Persians into the open. Best means of doing this seem
to be to make clear to them at once what will be
political consequences if their demand is pressed, and to
give them opportunity to withdraw it. Matter must be
taken up at once in any event in order that His Majesty’s
Government may know hov/ they stand, and, if there is no
alternative to evacuation, secure maximum period of delay.
Admiralty point out that fifteen months is absolute
minimum required to make alternative arrangements. It
would therefore be well in discussing question of delay to
pitch our demands high, ask for two years, and assume that
no difficulty will arise.
2. Persian attitude in regard to question of Henjam,
and manner in v/hich they have presented their demand lor
evacuation, have created new situation, and we 1 eel that
any continuance of negotiations implying an acceptance of,