File 18/1919 Pt 2 ‘Persia: Expenditure payments for maintenance of Cossack Division’ [‎208r] (47/70)

(IP'S.
( 2 )
for many months longer ani pointed out necessity of
beginning at once to form a force which would be fjt to
take their place by the time of their withdrawal. If
this measure -were delayed till the Me&jliss had passed
Anglo-Perslan agreement organisation of this force would
not by that date have made sufficient progress to enable it
to defend the country against a renewed Bolshevik invasion
next year. Unless unexpected developments took place
such an invasion was certain and in absence^such a force
must be followed by total ruin of Persia. VJork must
therefore be undertaken at once on following lines
(1) British officers to be in executive comnand and
(2) to have complete financial control:
(3) Authority of Ministry of War over force to be
subject to above conditions:
(4) Work to be carried on near Kaevin so as to avoid
arousing popular opposition.
(5) Persian officers and men from division and
Central Brigade not chosen for new force to be incorporated
in Central Brigade which should be under Minister of War.
(6) All available arms and ammunition and equipment
to be put at disposal of new force.
It would have to be made clear that formation of
force to expenses of which His Majesty's Government would
contribute was an indisputable measure of defence of in
dependent ,agr e ement.
If it was seen that Persian Government af^er (15)
months inaction were at last taking steps to assure de
fence of the country it might be possible to innace his
Majesty's Government to leave British troops heie till
new force was ready to take ovci task which they were now
fulfilling.