Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎145r] (289/544)

[365—35]
C
Persian Policy:
Instructions to
Sir P. Cox.
be under the orders of General BicharakofP might he modified or
cancelled.
The Committee decided—
7 o instruct Jjord Robert Cecil to see Admiral Hope on their
behalf' with a view to a withdrawal of the order to destroy
all ships in the Caspian.
8. With reference to the 35th Meeting, Minute 4, the Committee
had before them a note by Lord Robert Cecil, dated the 22nd October
(E.C.—2037 Appendix “C covering (a) a memorandum by
Air. Oliphaut; and (b) a draft telegram to Sir I\ Cox in reply to his
message No. 856 of the 1st October (E.C. -1774} ).
I he Gnairman said that he thought that the draft telegram
admirably expressed the views of the Committee as to the instructions
that should be sent to Sir P. Cox. He had, however, one or two
suggestions and alterations to put before the Committee for their
consideration. In paragraph 7 (2) of the draft, he suggested the
addition of the following words, “ so far as we are concerned we
have no intention of attempting to revive it.” In the paragraph
immediately following he would prefer to substitute for “ be entitled
to veto the appointment of any future Governor-General of Fars,”
the words “ be consulted before any future Governor-General of
Fars is made.”
In paragraph 9 for “ the suggestion that Great Britain should
represent Persia at the Conference seems open to the objection that
this would have the appearance of our assuming the role of Protecting
Power,” he would substitute “ as regards the suggestion that Great
Britain should represent Persia at the Conference, this seems open
to misinterpretation, as it might have the appearance of our assuming
the r61e of Protecting Power, which we do not desire. But we shall
be ready, in every way, to act at the Conference as the friend of
Persia and to protect her political and territorial independence. If
the Persian Government desire to place before us their views as to
the way in which these objects can best be secured, we shall be glad
to receive any representations they may care to address to us on this
point. Paragraph 10 might then run, “We have indeed already
given an assurance—see my telegram No. 539 (of 16th October)—
that His Majesty s Government would not entertain any proposal
that might be made by Turks regarding cession to Turkey of any
Persian territory in Azerbaijan.
I should be glad to receive your observations on above points.”
Mr. Montagu said that he agreed with the proposed altera
tions. We had already decided to hand over the South Persia
Rifles 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, and he himself, as he had often stated to
the Committee, was most anxious that we should be relieved of
this force as soon as possible. He saw no useful purpose in troubling
the Committee with a reiteration of his views.
I he remaining members having signified their concurrence in
the Chairman’s proposed amendments,
The Committee decided—
7'° approve the draft telegram in its amended form (Appendix IJ)}
(Initialled) C. of K.
2, Whitehall Gardens, N. IF.l.,
October 24, 1918.