Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎65v] (130/544)

6
The Hamadan
Road.
Baku and the
Caucasus.
proposed to make for Moscow, and would proceed, preferably, via
Archangel or Romanof, or, if not feasible, then through Vladivostock.
The Indian Government considered the proposal sound, and asked
that, if His Majesty’s Government concurred, the Foreign Office
should arrange for such facilities for the journey as might be
possible. Mr. Shuckburgh said that his department were prepared
to support the proposal, if the Foreign Office had no objection to
Macartney’s returning through European Russia
Mr. Balfour said that the Foreign Office were apprehensive of
any British officers at the present time, who might get into Russia,
being murdered or detained as hostages; and, consequently, he
deprecated the journey which would certainly be dangerous, and
probably embarrassing to us.
The Chairman suggested as an alternative that, after leaving
Bailey at Tashkend, Macartney should proceed via Samarcand, the
Trans-Caspian road, Meshed, and Teheran. He thought that he
might gather a considerable amount of valuable information on his
way.
The Committee agreed that it leas desirable that Sir G. Macartney
should not return through Russia, but that the Trans-Caspian
route should be suggested to him; and asked the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors.
to reply to the Indian Government accordingly.
6 . The Committee took note of the replies which had been
received to 'Aar Office telegram 61190 of 28th June, from the
General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia, viz., his telegrams
X. 9987, 4th July (E.C.-715) and X. 65 of the 6 th July (E.C.- 747). ^
General Macdonogh drew the attention of the Committee to the *
stress laid by General Marshall upon his difficulties in keeping a
force fed and equipped in Persia. In General Marshall’s opinion it
was improbable that a larger force than that now either in Persia,
or under orders to proceed there, could be maintained in that
country ; and, as at least for five months in winter the road would
not be practicable except for light traffic, it would be necessary to
obtain locally, and accumulate, a reserve of supplies. Secondly,
that unless it could be obtained from Baku, ti.e supply of petrol
would present great difficulties. General Marshall also referred to
the difficulties attending both the supplies of clothing and equipment,
and the medical arrangements.
7. General Macdonogh explained, with a map, the situation in
the Caucasus, according to the latest information. There was a
report to the effect that Azerbaijan had been declared independent,
and that Nuri, Enver’s brother, had been proclaimed Sultan. The
5th Caucasus division was still at or near Elizabetopol. The
Armenians, however, appeared to be stronger than we thought, and
Madame Essayan, in a message dated Enzeli, 30th June (E.C.- 759 ),
said that they were keeping in check all three Turkish divisions.’
The Turks at Tabriz were confining themselves to reconnoitring in
the direction of Shabli Pass, which seemed to indicate that they
were not at present prepared to push forward. General Dunsterviile
was now in touch with the Jelus by means of two aeroplanes, and
he was sending them up arms and ammunition which were to be
handed over at Bijar on the 23rd July. Bicharakoff was at Baku
and had assumed control of the Bolshevik forces at that place.
Mr. McDonnell reported (E.C.-739) that a secret committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. had
been formed by the local Bolshevik Government to go into the
question of oil destruction. There was no further news about the
Caspian fleet. The Treasury had agreed to pay the 6,000,000 roubles
a month to Bicharakoff. A small detachment of about 110 Indian
troops had moved from Kasvin on to Resht. There had been a