Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎51v] (102/544)

between having Persia on our side and having her as an ally. He
might be using inaccurate terms, but that was what he meant by
an alliance.
General Maedonogh thought there was a considerable differ
ence, and stated that we kept troops in North Persia in order to
keep out the Germans and the Turks, and in South Persia, in
order to control local disturbances.
Mr. Balfour thought that the object of the South Persia Rifles
was to suppress the activities of Wassmuss.
The Chairman said that, broadly speaking, the intention of
the South Persia Rifles was not so much to frustrate Wassmuss,
as to keep the roads open, and the country quiet.
General Macdonogh said that he had circulated to the Com
mittee, a note by the C.I.G.S. (E.C.-616) on the proposed change
in the constitution of the South Persia Rifles. The note had
advocated that the Shah and Vossugh should at once be informed
that, in the event of the latter’s appointment as Premier, His
Majesty’s Government would give assurances on the following
lines:—
(1.) His Majesty's Government regard with sympathy the
desire of the Persian Government to raise a uniform
army for the whole of Persia, and will forthwith co
operate with a friendly Persian Government to this
end.
(2.) In order to give effect to the above. His Majesty’s
Government are separating the control of such British
and Indian troops as must temporarily be retained in
South Persia from that of the South Persia Rifles,
which is regarded as a purely Persian force.
(3.) His Majesty’s Government recommend the abolition of
the title “ South Persia Rifles,” and suggest that this
force should be known as the first division of the
Persian army, or by any other title which the Persian
Government may prefer.
(4.) His Majesty’s Government would welcome the
appointment of a Persian officer, mutually agreed
upon, to command the force.
(5.) His Majesty’s Government will continue to pay for the
maintenance of the force so long as British officers and
instructors are retained.
In return for the above, the Persian Government should be
required to agree—
(a.) To co-operate loyally with the British Government in
the maintenance of order in South Persia; and
(b.) To retain the services of British officers and instructors
until such time as they may be withdrawn by mutual
agreement between the British and Persian
Governments.
The note concluded by saying it was submitted that, by action
on the above lines, the goodwill of the Shah might be obtained,
Vossugh’s appointment secured, his hands greatly strengthened
on his accession to the Premiership, democratic and national
opinion in Persia largely conciliated, and the ground, to a great
extent, cut from under the feet of enemy propagandists.
In reply to a.question from the Chairman, Mr. Balfour said
that he believed that Marling w^as a man of courage and decision,
and he would not like to remove him from his present post until
he was satisfied that w T e could find an abler man to succeed him.
The Chairman said that at an earlier stage, he had formed a
very high opinion of Marling, but that, latterly, he had not been
so favourably impressed with his advice. Moreover, Marling was
regarded by the Persians as out of sympathy with the policy which
w r e were now considering. He quoted from a letter from Mr.
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