File 3516/1914 Pt 7 'German War: Persia' [‎171r] (346/519)

From Viceroy, 2?ml April 1915.
(Repeated to Tehran and Sir T. Cox.)
\t [ ^°P osals to P ( - ry ‘ a - Heference to ('ox’s tele^i-am
No. oJ4 B, of J Jtli April. From recent correspondence, especially Persian
Governments telegram of 18 th April to Persian Consuls Jeneral' in I ndia
mde my telegram of 22nd April, present Persian Government appears (1) To
nave conceived exaggerated idea ol importance of their neutrality to British
Government; (2) To be genuinely embarrassed by vlrnlent anti-Pnssian
and m consequence, anti-British feeling of populace; (3) To be inclined
under 1 urko-German pressure to make impossible demands upon us.
In these circumstances I consider oiler of any further inducements to
1 ersian Government to maintain their neutrality would merely be construed
as sign of weakness and be ineffective. Most that I would recommend is
moratorium in regard to payment of interest on loans on condition of their
mere friendly behaviour. At the same time 1 think we should be wise to
relax our pressure on Persian Government in connection witli Pars. Demand
ifbr withdrawal of Governor-General and Swedes does not appear likely to
succeed and only tends to force Persian Government under German advice,
jinto making impossible counter demands. So long as I hi shire itself is safe
our interests in Pars and South Persia generally are not for the present ol
paramount importance, for tin 1 time being, therefore, I recommend, so lar
as possible, a silence. This will alleviate friction which threatens to’become
acute in regard to fars situation, will tend to disconcert Persian Govern
ment, and will give our success at Shaiba and Zobeir time to have maximum
effect. Indeed, we must depend rather on practical proof of our strength
than on diplomatic pressure, in dealing with Persian Government. As
regards Plenms of Nejel and Kerbela, I have arranged for editor of “llabl-
ul-Matin,” who has become friendly and enjoys considerable influence, to
address letters to them. Beyond this I do not think further action is at
present desirable. We should wait to ascertain definite wishes of Ulemas
themselves before committing ourselves to any promise in regard to future
of shrines.