File 537/1921 Part 1 'Persia: Oil - Defence of A.P. Oil Co's fields etc' [‎90r] (175/324)

The despatch of troops seems to me to be likely only
in the event 01 a l(j$lure of diplomacy and of a virtual
i-upouio ’"lua uas Persian Government, as in the case of
Bushire,during and Before the War.
... 1 should say that, a considerably smaller force
would suffice .arid I understand that a Brigade can be
rnuid, should the Imperial Government so order
ana ohis should suffice, I do not think it follows that
any damage which might be inflicted at the Oilfields
would nonmlly have been completed before such a force
could arrive. ^8 couxd doubtless hold our own for a time
by diplomacy,negotiations,arms and ammunitions,but only
lor a time and eventually such a force might be necessar;
Para 4. I agree.
Para. 5. I agree.
I think we have no reason whatever to consider that
things are likely to reach such a pitch that evacuation
would be necessary. Other forces would be called into
•play and equilibrium would be established provided H.M.
‘Government were in a position to put a small force into
the field at short notice.
I do'not.however, agree that danger to the pipe.line
and pumping stations would not occur in the event of a
conflict between the Persian Government and the Sheikh of
Mohammerah.
The problem of affording protection to the Company's
property must, I agree, be dominated xxx mainly by the
general issue, but it is my deliheratOppinion that the
Bawi and the Chari.if they got out of hand,might do their
*
best ito/SeliberatelyVwreck the pipe line and to do other
damage,Vv it h a view to forcing H.M. Government to bring
pressure to bear on the Persian Government.•
Para 6. Your meaning is not quite clear to me.
The Persian Government would object almost as
strongly to the presence of troops at Abadan as to the
despatch