"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٢‎٤‎٢] (٥٦٦/٤٩٠)

T RAN S-C ASPIA
427
(27782)
essential that British troops should remain at Merv, and there
fore inferentially increased in strength, it would be necessary
to extend the railway as far as Neh (instead of only to Duzdab
as had been recently proposed). In conclusion, the Government
of India presumed that they would receive an early decision as
to the extent to which General Malleson might promise the
Trans-Caspian Government financial assistance.
On the 20th November the Government of India sent the
India Office a summary of a report of the 17th from General
Malleson detailing the sums of money asked for by the Trans-
Caspian Government*. On the same day General Malleson
reported that, as money had to be provided and as he owed the
Trans-Caspian Government several million roubles for rations
supplied to our troops, he had felt justified in starting to raise
money locally to repay them.
The Trans-Caspian situation was considered by the Eastern
Committee of the War Cabinet in London on the 21st November.
In the ensuing discussion it became clear that our policy of
supporting the all-Russia Government at Omsk which hoped
to establish communication with Tashkend via the Orenburg
railway—and our apprehensions lest anarchy in Trans-Caspia
should react on the Persian and Afghan borders required the
retention of British troops in Trans-Caspia for the time being.
We had accepted in principle a financial liability to the Trans-
Caspian Government. But our various financial obligations in
Persia—whence the money would have to come had so
stripped the available supply of silver that, if further expendi
ture were incurred, there was a danger of financial dislocation
with a resulting disturbance of our policy. It was decided,
however, to give the Trans-Caspian Government a
in liquidation of all our liabilities, the amount being left o e
Government of India to suggest. # .
But before they were requested to do this, °^ e:r ipP 01
telegrams on the subject were received. On the 21st No vein er
the Government of India repeated to London with their own
comments General Malleson’s two telegrams of the IBtft advo
cating an advance to the Oxus. The cost of mam aimng e
force suggested and the consequent strain on our resources
seemed to them to be disproportionate to the advantages o
gained. They considered that the time had come o rsa use
the Trans-Caspian Government of the hopes they
entertain that we would fight their battles and ^
for them, as well as supply them with money o —onm
* These totalled about ^1,000,000 down and ^ 130,000 a month m future.
2F