Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎29v] (58/544)

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Persian Alliance.
this respect. Otherwise, a free hand might be given to
General Dunsterville.
The Chairman pointed out that General Ounsterville’s departure
would leave his force without a commander. Would it not be
possible for a substitute to be sent instead ?
General Smuts said that General Dunsterville had with him the
officers and N.C.O.’s who formed his Mission, but he was also in
command of certain troops of General Marshall’s, which he could not
take away without the latter's consent. The situation was one of
great uncertainty, but those on the spot who had better knowledge
of the circumstances seemed fairly sanguine as to the success of the
project. .
Mr. Montagu said he agreed with General Smuts. In his view
there was no objection to General Dunsterville proceeding as a
Mission only and taking with him certain officers and N.C.O.’s, but he
must not move any troops ; and, before he went, he must be
satisfied that no evil consequences would arise from his absence.
Lord Robert Cecil proposed that any instructions issued should
contain the suggestion that General Dunsterville might possibly
send a substitute.
The Chairman confessed that he still regarded the proposal
with apprehension. The departure of General Dunsterville and
Bicharakoffs forces would leave a large gap unguarded, or protected *
only by some 300 doubtful Bolsheviks.
Lord Robert Cecil thought that there must recently have been
a great change in the local situation and a reversal of the balance of
power at Baku This was possibly due to the presence of thousands •*
of Armenians at the latter place.
The Chairman thought that the activities of Colonel Stokes, who
was now engaged in pacifying the dangalis, hitherto our enemies,
might also have contributed to this change.
General Rad cliff e warned the Committee that it was possible
the invitation from Baku might be a trap.
it was decided—
(1.) That there teas no object ion to General Dunsterville, ora
selected officer in his place, accompanied, if necessary, by
certain other officers, proceeding to Baku as a Mission,
provided he was satisfied that the work of those he left
behind n ould not suffer by his absence, lie should take
no troops with him except such limited numbers of men
as the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, might
think it necessary to send as an escort.
(2.) That the Director of Military Operations, in consultation
with (ieneral Smuts, should draw up a telegram to the
above effect for the approval of the Chairman.
(3.) That the Admiralty should be consulted as to the Caspian ,
situation, and should be asked to report upon the value of
the Caspian ports, the importance of securing the Caspian
fleet, and the possibility of destroying the oil-fields.
(4.) The Foreign Office should ask Sir C. Marling for such *
detailed information as he might be able to furnish
about the situation at Baku and the objects at which
General Dunsterville should aim.
2. Mr. Montagu said that he wished to draw the attention of
the Committee to certain telegrams which had been circulated
regarding the question of an alliance with Persia.
The Chairman said that the matter had been discussed by the
Committee at their previous meeting. The subject had come up
after the Secretary of State for India had been called away. The
decision of the Committee was that they adhered to their previous