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Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [147v] (294/544)
The record is made up of 1 file (272 folios). It was created in 13 Mar 1918-7 Jan 1919. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
10
o
5. We are therefore reluctant to press forward to an immediate decision the
question of introducing foreign officers at a moment when it doe* not seem absolutely
necessary for us to commit ourselves definitely.
6. On the other hand, His Majesty’s Government are ready, in order to strengthen
the position of Vossuk-ed-Dowleh’s Cabinet or any Persian Government actively friendly
to us, to make such other proposals with a view r to the permanent improvement of the
relations between the two countries as may safely be made.
7. To this end you are authorised to inform the Prime Minister that—
(1.) Great Britain reiterates categorically her determination to respect the
independence of Persia.
(2.) She undertakes as soon as a Russian Government exists which she can
recognise to press for abrogation of A nglo-Russian Convention, and in the meanwhile
regards it as being in suspense. So far as we are concerned we have no intention to
renew it.
8. The suggested transfer of the South Persia Rifles to the Governor-General of
Pars is in itself attractive, but ie rendered rather difficult of acceptance in view of the
fact that Farman Farma’s tenure of that office appears precarious (see last paragraph of
your telegram No. 883, of 14th October), but it' some guarantee could be given that
w r e should be consulted before anv future appointment of a Governor-General of Fars is
made, w r e would gladly consider the transfer of this force.
9. As regards the desire of Persia to be represented at the Peace Conference, it
will clearly be impossible to make in her favour an exception to the principle on which
the Allies are acting towards other non-belligerent nations. The suggestion
that Great Britain should represent Persia at the Conference seems open to the
misinterpretation that this would have the appearance of our assuming the role of a
protecting Power. We desire to act at the Conference as friends of Persia, and
we shall be ready in every way we can to safeguard her political and territorial
independence. If Persian Government desire to place before us their views as to the
way in which these objects may best be attained, we shall be glad to receive any
representations that they may wish to address to us on this point.
10. 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.
11. I should be glad to receive your observations on above points.
(Repeated to India.)
About this item
- Content
This file is composed of papers produced by the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee, which was chaired by George Curzon for most of its existence. The file contains a complete set of printed minutes, beginning with the committee's first meeting on 28 March 1918, and concluding with its final meeting on 7 January 1919 (ff 6-214 and ff 227-272).
The file begins with two copies of a memorandum by Curzon, dated 13 March 1918, proposing the formation of the Eastern Committee. This is followed by a memorandum by Arthur James Balfour, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, approving Curzon's proposal, and a copy of a procedure for the newly created committee, outlining arrangements for committee meetings and the dissemination of information to committee members.
Also included is a set of resolutions, passed by the committee in December 1918, in order to guide British representatives at the Paris Peace conference (ff 216-225). The resolutions cover the following: the Caucasus and Armenia; Syria; Palestine; Hejaz and Arabia; Mesopotamia, Mosul, Baghdad and Basra. They are preceded by a handwritten note written by Curzon 'some years later', which remarks on how they are a 'rather remarkable forecast of the bulk of the results since obtained.'
- Extent and format
- 1 file (272 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 272; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [147v] (294/544), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F112/274, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100069672678.0x00005f> [accessed 21 June 2026]
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F112/274
- Title
- Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee
- Pages
- 1r:214v, 216r:272v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence