Papers of the Interdepartmental Conference on Middle Eastern Affairs [‎15v] (30/290)

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APPENDIX.
t Situation in Trans-Caucasia.
THE despatch of British troops to the Caucasus was ordered by His Majesty’s
Government primarily to enforce the execution of the Armistice terms by the Tnrco-
German forces occupying that area.
Clauses 11 and 15 of the Armistice relative to the evacuation of Trans-Caucasia
and the control of the railways were inserted in order to combat the easterly and
south-easterly spread of Pan-Turanianism and Bolshevism.
1. Military Situation.
The first military steps to give effect to this policy were taken on the 17th
November, when a British detachment under General Thomson landed at Baku
followed on the ^2nd December by the landing of British troops at Batoum.
After many protests and evasions the Turkish troops have eventually been with
drawn to the provinces of Kars, Ardahan, and Batoum, whence they are being evacuated
to behind the pre-war frontier. This enforced withdrawal of the Turkish Army has
been accomparnied by looting and outrages against the local Christians, and internecine
trouole between the Trans-Caucasian Republics. These circumstances necessitated
the despatch of British troops and Missions to many places in Trans-Caucasia, for the
purpose of restoring order and opening up communication by rail.
The actual disposition of the British troops at present is as follows :—*
At Batoum, 2 brigade headquarters and 2 battalions.
At I iflis, 1 divisional headquarters, 1 brigade headquarters, 5 battalions,
and 2 half battalions.
At Kars, half battalion.
At Nakhichevan, a detachment,! , ,, ,
At Akhalkalaki. a detachment, f ha ‘ f batta An extra allowance of pay granted to soldiers involved in special field service or to public servants on special duty. !lon '
At Balakhani, 1 battalion.
Tiflis-Baku Kailway, 1 battalion.
Baku, 1 brigade headquarters and 3 battalions.
Petrovsk, 1 battalion (at request of Navy for action against Bolsheviks). *
2. l olitical Situation.
(a.) The Georgians are strongly opposed to the return of the Russian Government
to Irans-Caucasia, are very intent on becoming an independent and autonomous
people, and are frankly doubtful of our intentions. Their relations with the Armenians
are not good owing to certain debatable territory in the Akhalkalaki area. In fact,
hostilities actually broke out between them on the departure of the Turks, and were
only terminated by the intervention of the British Mission. Apparently there is no
ill-feeling between the Georgians and Azerbaijanlis. Our policy towards the Georgians
is one of sympathy, but the recognition of their Government must await the decision
of the Peace Conference.
(b.) The Armenians appear to be antagonistic to the Georgians owing to the
territory in dispute, and the so-called Georgian treachery in coming to terms with the
Germans Their attitude to the Tartars, their hereditary religious enemies, is one of
revenge.
(^•) republic of Azerbaijan. I his soi-disant republic is apparently friendly
to the British, on good terms with the Georgians, and at enmity with the Armenians.
The Azerbaijan Local Government met for the first time at Baku on the 7th
December, 1918.
3. Finance.
I he British occupation of 1 rans-Caucasia has necessarily brought up the question
of finance, which is causing the commanders in the field considerable anxiety.
General 1 homson at Baku appears to have opened on his own responsibility the
Map.