"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [ظ‎‎٢‎١‎٨] (٥٦٦/٤٤١)

386
OPERATIONS IN PERSIA
for removing causes of irritation ; and the best practical proof
of our sincerity, said the Government of India, would be the
immediate announcement of our intention to give up the
South Persia Rifles, whose existence rankled deeply. Besides
proving useless, untrustworthy and expensive, this force
had involved us in the most undesirable commitments, and
its continuance on existing lines, in the face of Persian
opinion, would be regarded as a proof of the insincerity of our
protestations.
While the question of neutral officers might, they considered,
well stand over for subsequent discussion, the Government of
India urged an immediate declaration of our willingness to
hand over the South Persia Rifles in Ears to the Persian Govern
ment when the Bushire-Shiraz road was opened. The Governor-
General might retain or disband part as he thought fit, and the
Indian troops would be withdrawn. We should also agree to
give him arms and a subsidy for the maintenance of a force;
and this, Colonel Gough considered, would enable him to safe
guard our interests and maintain reasonable order. If we could
regain the confidence of the Persian Government and people
and could convince them of our desire to co-operate rather than
to dominate, it seemed unnecessary to embarrass the Persian
Government by stipulations regarding the selection of future
Governors, as there should be no difficulty in securing satis
factory nominees. Moreover, a Governor subsidised by us
would be inclined to serve our interests, while the Persian
Government would be averse from the breakdown of an arrange
ment so convenient to themselves and so considerate of their
aspirations and withal so economical for ourselves.
The Foreign Office had, however, already on the 31st Octobei
authorised Sir Percy Cox to proceed with the assurances
proposed, subject to the safeguards suggested in his telegram
of the 1st and to additional reservation regarding the Governor-
General of Ears.
Armistice On the 31st also the armistice with Turkey had come ino
Turkey; force Under its terms t he Allies obtained free access to tne
3 igil Black Sea. Turkish troops were to withdraw immediately from
North-West Persia and from part of Trans-Caucasia,
remaining troops in Trans-Caucasia were to be withdrawn
required by the Allies after they had studied the sl ;? a
The portions of the Trans-Caucasian railways under ur
control were to be placed at the free and complete ^ 1 S P°
the Allies, who would also occupy Batum ; and the Tur s
to raise no objection to an Allied occupation of Baku.