ملف ٣٥١٦\١٩١٤ الجزء ١٤ "الحرب الألمانية: بلاد فارس؛ الوضع العام" [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٨] (٥٣٢/٤٨٠)

Persian Governmsnt could lie met so far as montliljr sum of two ^^undrecl* , (?^
thousand tomans was concerned but that financial difficulties in the way would
delay operation as regards sum accruing since beginning of year. I also told
Minister for Foreign Affairs that both my Russian colleague and I were some
what concerned (at ?) prospect of seeing whole gendarmerie force of Persia
concentrated at capital, for the characteristic of this force was well known to
Persian Government, who must see that it would give Germans upper hand
in Tehran. And we must have full assurances that Persian Government would
prevent it before going further into the question of a moratorium.
Minister for Foreign Affairs began by feigning ignorance of the orders
which were given by Commandant, but finally he admitted fact to be true. He
gave me a promise that Commandant would be asked to furnish an explan
ation and said that Commandant ought to be dismissed if his reply was unsatis
factory. He complained to me that Swedes as a whole behaved in a manner
which gave impression that they were independent of Persian Government.
I strongly urged on Minister for Foreign Affairs that he should get Com
mandant dismissed. I think it is not impossible that under our proposals we
might get rid of some of Swedes, for instance Commandant of gendarmerie and
Sonessen, who is known to have supplied German Vice-Consul, Kermanshah,
with a machine gun for the purpose of attack at Kangavar (on ?) two Consuls.
As regards Sonessen, we should be justified (in ?) making official demand
for his dismissal.
It was explained to me by Minister for Foreign Affairs that request of
Persian Government was that moratorium should take effect as from beginning
of Persian year so that total sum would be not million eight hundred thousand
tomans but million two hundred thousand.
Addressed to Foreign Office; sent to Government of India and Ministers
at Petrograd and Stockholm.
252
Telegram P., No. 143, dated (and received) the 19th September 1915.
Prom Lieutenant-Colonel C. T. Ducat, His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Kerman,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Germans in Persia. I have been informed privately that four Germans
have arrived at Yezd, but I cannot vouch for truth of this report. Please
instruct Vice-Consul, Yezd, to send me news now that Ispahan is closed.
Addressed to His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran; repeated to
Bushire, Birjand and Foreign, Simla.
253
Telegram P., No. 347 F., dated the 18th (received 19th) September 1915.
From— His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Tehran,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
The confidential agents here of Soulet approached me with a request for
a letter granting personal protection to Soulet. Soulet would guarantee in
return to take steps against German agents and maintain order and protect
our interests A request of a similar kind was made to the Russian Minister.
I replied that (such ? ) a step would require careful consideration as it would
be great innovation in our policy in Persia. The agents repeatedly pressed for
an early answer. .
I am inclined to the belief that this step indicates that Soulet is being
urged by German emissaries to join them in working against us, Uiough his
agents naturally asserted that he has consistently turned a deaf ear to all their
overtures They admit that the man Pugin was very active in dress of Sunni
viHao-er in ^neighbourhood of Kumisheh. The importance of securing
Soulet on our side at this juncture is not to be denied, but this may lead
both now (and ?) in future to all kinds of complications. I should be g a i