Papers of the Interdepartmental Conference on Middle Eastern Affairs [‎39v] (78/290)

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From G.H.Q.,
Constantinople,
Gr.C. 137,
February 12, 1919.
No. 275 from
“ Astoria,” Paris.
Received
February 13, 1919.
From W.O. 75277,
February 14, 1919.
From Briggs,
Constantinople,
repeated W.O.,
K. 233, February 23,
1919.
down their arms and evacuate Sochi Province by midnight the
6th-7th February.
G.H.Q., Constantinople, took steps to make a strong protest to
Denikin. Georgian Government accused British of having allowed
the situation to arise.
On the 12 th February Denikin’s volunteer army was reported
to be holding Sochi district up to Sukhum frontier. The telegram
adds : “ If troops of volunteer army are allowed to remain in Sochi
district, I consider it will greatly shake the confidence of the
Georgian Government in our support of their integrity, and will act
as a further hindrance to our gaining their goodwill.”
On the 13th February, moved by the Georgian representatives,
Paris requested War Office “to convey an intimation to General
Denikin that in no circumstances must arms supplied by the Allies
be used to force Georgia back into a reconstituted Russian Empire,
and that any operations directed by him against the Georgians
would lead to the immediate withdrawal of British support.”
On the 14th February, in accordance with above Paris telegram,
War Office asked G.H.Q., Constantinople, to inform Denikin hos-
tilies at Sochi must cease, and lie must withdraw his troops. Denikin
must abide by the line laid down in our No. 74791 of the 1 st
February.
On the 23rd February, these instructions were formally conveyed •
to Denikin. The marginally mentioned telegram gives General
Denikin’s answer.
Note. —Denikin says he never heard of the dividing line laid
down in No. 74791.
G.O.C., Constanti
nople. No. 198,
February 18.
III. Denikin and the Daghestan Area,
The position appears to be fully summed up in a telegram from
General Thornton, Baku. It amounts to this : Up to the receipt of
telegram No. 74791 of the 1 st February, our officers in Daghestan
and Azerbaijan were working to carry out the policy outlined on
paragraph 1 of this Note, and to maintain the status quo, pending
decision bv the Peace Conference. Then came telegram No. 74791 of
the 1 st February, which, in the words of the G.O.C., Constantinople,
“ practically upset the work of the last few months.” Thornton says
it “indicates reverse of policy laid down previously.” The telegram
reversed the suggestion of G.H.Q., Constantinople (in his No. I. 4449),
that Denikin’s mission under Lovchen should be cancelled, and
ordered the control of the Ciscaucasia area (excepting the portion
necessary for naval requirements) to be handed over to General
Denikin.
The consequences are stated to be—
(i.) Denikin is within 65 miles of Baku.
(ii.) Daghestan has ceased to exist.
(iii.) Azerbaijan has lost some territory.
(iv.) Denikin has appointed Liarkof to be Governor of Terek and
Daghestan.
(v.) Erdeli has admitted it is only our presence that keeps the
Russians out of Baku.
(vi.j Caucasus people will interpret this as meaning that the
Allies’ talk of self-determination is insincere, and wil
lose belief in British good faith.
The remedy suggested by G.H.Q., Constantinople, is as
follows:—
In W.O. telegram No. 75277 of 15th February, 1919 (sent as a
result of the discussion at the 6 th Meeting I.D.C.E.), General
Milne was asked to send home an officer or other responsible person
with intimate knowledge of the political and economic conditions