Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎120v] (240/544)

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The Chairman thought that the position was rather a difficult
one. Drastic orders had been despatched, saying that steps must
i at once be taken to take possession of the armed Caspian fleet,
either by bribing the officers and men, or by purchase. As it now
appeared that Bicharakof was in control of the fleet, were these
orders to be suspended ?
Admiral Hope said that the situation was naturally affected
by whether or not the fleet was really under Bicharakof ’s control.
He did not ask for any decision on the subject from the Committee
that afternoon, and suggested that the matter might stand over
until replies from the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies, and
General Marshall had been received. In reply to a question as to
whether we had sufficient naval officers and men on the spot to
carry into effect the Admiralty’s orders, Admiral Hope said that
his Department were satisfied that this was the case. More
officers and other ratings would, however, be sent up as soon as
transport was available.
Policy in Persia. 4. The Chairman said that a long, important telegram,
No. 831, dated the 23rd September, had been received from Sir
Percy Cox (E.C.-1658) (Appendix til), which asked for the views
of His Majesty's Government in regard to certain proposals that
had been made by the Persian Government. The telegram stated
that the fall of Baku and the retirement of our forces from the
Zinjan line had had a very damaging effect on public opinion at
Teheran and elsewhere. Vossugh was anxious to maintain the
position of the present Cabinet in the existing critical circum
stances by attracting moderate democratic elements, and by creating
an atmosphere favourable to it by some public announcement of
friendly concessions which he had been able to secure from the
British. The proposed announcement was:—
1. That Great Britain had categorically reiterated her deter
mination to respect the independence of Persia.
2. That she had undertaken, as soon as a Russian Government
which she can recognise is established, to press the
abrogation of the Anglo-Russian Convention.
3. That she had consented—
(a.) To transfer the South Persia Rifles to the direct
control of the Persian Government.
(b.) To the despatch to Teheran of a Commission of
neutral officers, preferably Scandinavian, but
not Swedes, to draw up a scheme for the forma
tion of a uniform force for Persia into which the
present South Persia Rifles would be merged.
(c.) For the present, the Shiraz South Persia Rifles
would be transferred to Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Firma, who
would be allowed to retain a considerable
number of British junior officers and other
personnel with the force. If this arrangement
succeeded, the Kerman brigade should be
similarly handed over. It was further to be
understood that as soon as the Bushire-Shiraz
road was opened up and tranquillity restored,
British troops at Fars should be gradually with
drawn.
The Chairman also read a telegram (No. 835) from Teheran
(E.C.-1698), referring to the earlier message (No. 831), and
stating that the suggestion of Scandinavians, other than Swedes,
was made because several Swedes still remained with the
gendarmerie, and it was thought that Norwegians or Danes would
work in better with them. He agreed with the Director of Mili-