File 3516/1914 Pt 14 'German War: Persia; general situation' [‎237v] (479/532)

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The gendarmerie en mam turned out to meet the new arrivals and played
them through the bazar with bugles. The orders as to obeying Governor-
General are^disregarded by gendarmerie, they are practically on leave INo one
” in.™ recall is advised by the Governor-General and by
me.
Repeated to Tehran and Bushire.
248
Telegram R.. No. 2040 B., dated the 17th (received 18th) September 1915.
jn rom The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I.,
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Basrah,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
This morning I discussed situation in Arabistan with Sheikh of Moham-
merah with particular reference to proceedings of German parties and attitude
of Bakhtiari Khans.
As regards his personal relations with his tribe, viz^ Bani, Tnruf, Chab,
Bawi, Muhaisin, he left that his general position was more favourable and
satisfactory at the present moment than it has been for five years past.
Referring to attitude of Bakhtiaries, he showed me following telegram
from Samsam, Tehran, to Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. and Illbegi jointly assuring them that by
common consent of Khans as a whole they were assured of undisturbed total
enjoyment of their appointments for at least five years to^ come, and were
given full power to take necessary steps to control Bakhtiari and Kuhgala
under their jurisdiction. Samsam went on to give them stringent and
explicit instructions to proceed South as soon as possible and make anange-
ments for maintenance of order and security of their boundaries. Second
telegram was a lengthy joint message in cypher from Ilkhani The paramount chief of certain tribes in south west Iran. and Illbegi,
informing Sheikh of the terms of their appointment, welcoming expulsion of
Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Jang and his brother from council of tribe and then going on to assure
Sheikh of their readiness to co-operate with him in their joint affairs and to
join him in co-operating with the British.
In return they asked for Sheikhs good offices to obtain assurance from us
that they would he retained in their appointments for five years. In connec
tion with above can any prompt reply by telegraph be conveyed on behalf His
Majesty’s Government either by Minister or myself in the above sense. I
trust it may he possible.
As regards activities of Germans, Sheikh expressed view that such small
parties could not move openly with hostile intention without an escort of
Bakhtiari sowars and having regard to attitude of Illkhani and Illbegi above-
mentioned, he was of opinion that all they would get would be a few adherents
of the Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Jang to whom friendly Bakhtiari would be opposed. Sheikh
considered most they could do would be to break up into twos of threes and
disguise themselves and endeavour to incite sympathisers to (commit ?) acts
of lawlessness. He agreed that parties needed watching and would assist to
that end, hut did not consider that these scattered Germans were good for more
than that.
I have made arrangements to have an efficient emissary to keep a watch
for Germans should they approach low country, and to keep us furnished with
prompt information.
249
Telegram P., No. 346, dated the 18th (received 19th) September 1915.
From— His Britannic Majesty's Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
I saw Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning after consultation with
my Russian colleague, and told him I believed I could promise that wish oi