ملف ٣٥١٦\١٩١٤ الجزء ١٨ "الحرب الألمانية: بلاد فارس؛ الوضع العام - ١٩١٦" [ظ‎‎١‎٣‎٤] (٣٦٨/٢٨١)

Offensive alliance against Turkey was impossible and would result in civil war.
Persia did net wish to get involved in war and preferred to maintain neutra
lity.^ He suggested that by pointing out the advantages to Persia of alliance
he should continue for the present his efforts to win over public opinion and
when the country w^as less hostile to idea begin negotiations.
H e said that after some (?) months experience to talk of policy of neutrality
which would inevitably result in Persia being forced to join our enemies was
idle. No middle course w 7 as possible. Persia must be with us or against us
and Government had better rellect seriously on consequences both immediate
and future to Persia if she alknved herself to be led to join our enemies by
pressure of an ignorant and venal public opinion ; negotiations should com
mence at once.
-Russian Minister added that His Highness should remember that there was
Russian force at Kasvin which might take matters into its ow r n hands. This
afternoon we are to meet the Prime Minister and President of Chamber.
Success of Russian operations has had good effect here; they should enter
Hamadan to-day or to •morrow.
A plot to assassinate Farman Farm a has been discovered.
Murderers were furnished with arms, money and horses by Germans but
one of them warned him.
197
Telegram P., No. 522-F., dated the 11th (received 12th) December 1915.
From—His Majesty’s Minister^ Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
The German party have surrounded Imperial Bank of Persia at Yezd and
are taking cash from it. Germans are behaving courteously and there is no
disorder. Manager is safe.
Sent to Basrah, India, Petrograd; addressed to Foreign Office.
198
Telegram P., No. 3009-B., dated the 11th (received 12th) December 1915.
From—The Hon'ble the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Basnih,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
(Addressed Tehran ; repeated Bnshire.)
Major Trevor has suggested to Consul, Mohammerah, that Sheikh of
Mohammerah should despatch an emissary to Soulet to urge him to arrange
for release of British prisoners. In the absence of Sheikh, Haji Rais has suit
able messenger ready to send but he considers it essential that messenger should
have definite terms in return for his services to offer Soulet, Terms suggested
are (a) Good offices wdth the Persian Government, (b) Gift after the war of a
thousand rifles and ammunition, (c) Expenses up to 10,000 tomans or more
according to results. Soulet must secure release of prisoners and throw whole
weight of his tribesmen on our side for pacification of country and arrest or
expulsion German agents in return for these amenities.
(One thousand ?) rifles and ammunition w r ould be given with the approval
of Persian Government. We could I think agree to all these terms. The
cash could be taken from money now in deposit in Bushire belonging to Sheikh
Hussain and the Khan of Borajan (Borasjun?), if Soulet is successful.
It w ould be made clear to Soulet that the course he was intended to pursue
was to declare himself openly on our side and by show ing of force and threats
to intimidate Khans into surrendering the prisoners. Hostile Khans appear
to be in a good deal of awe of him.
Please telegraph if proposal is approved.