Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎11v] (22/544)

2
Position of Allied
Forces in North-
West Persia.
Situation in the
Caucasus.
Mission to
Central Asia.
Tt was agreed that the same objections applied.
The Committee therefore decided—
That the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs should reply to
Lord Reading’s telegram (E.C.-129) in the sense that we
did not propose to make a declaration at present, and that
in consequence there was no need for action by the United
States of America.
2. General Macdonogh read to the Committee a statement of
the present position of Allied forces in North-West Persia (Appendix).
Though the weather still hampered developments, the statement
revealed a situation which the Committee considered satisfactory.
The Jangalis meanwhile had not made much use of their oppor
tunities. Mr. Balfour stated that he would like to see action taken
against them In this connection Mr. Oliphant read a letter which
the Foreign Cilice had received that morning and which suggested
a plan for dealing with Kuchik Khan. He proposed to enquire
Sir C. Mnrling’s views on the scheme.
It was agreed that the Foreign Office should consult
Sir C. Marling as proposed.
3. General Macdonogh gave the Committee some information,
derived from Colonel Pike at Tiflis, concerning developments in the
Caucasus. It was noted that the Caspian fleet was reported to be
under Bolshevik control.
The Secretary of State for Foreign affairs stated that though
he had not as yet approached M. Trotzki specifically concerning
this naval force, he would, if a suitable occasion arose, commend
the matter to his consideration, as the co-operation of the Caspian
fleet was of great importance to us if we were to save Baku from
the enemy.
4. The Committee had before them a Memorandum by the
General Staff (E.C.-I(i3), certain telegrams relating to Meshed
(E.C.-130 and E.C.-I31), and correspondence concerning a mission
to Kashgar (E.C.-43f>, E.C.-152, and E.C.-153).
The mission to Kashgar did not appear to give rise to any
difficulty for the time being.
The Chairman read a telegram from the Viceroy (E.C.-181)
transmitting a message from Kashgar, in which doubt was
expressed whether, without a Bolshevik passport, anyone could
safely enter Russian Turkestan.
As to the mission to Meshed, at present instructed to abstain
from propaganda and from entering Russian territory (E.C.-131), it
seemed probable that no other instructions could for the time being
be issued. Bokhara was in Russian territory. Any action in that
direction must be subordinated to our general policy in relation to
the Bolshevik Government. We could not encourage their
opponents in Asia while courting them in Europe. Any action in
Transcaspia would raise the Turkoman question, which was entirely
distinct both geographically and politically from that ol Turkestan.
Turkestan again raised the very different issues of Russian and
Afghan Turkestan. Finally, in any contemplated movements in the
direction of Kushk or the Afghan frontier, strict regard must be had
for the susceptibilities of the Amir. It did not appear so far any
plan had been thought out.
General Macdonogh suggested that Colonel Redl might be
given more latitude than was granted him in his orders from the
Commander-in-Chief, India (F.C.-l 31). He should be able to get