الملف ٥٣٧\١٩٢١ الجزء ٢ "بلاد فارس: النفط - تطوير شركة النفط الأنجلو-فارسية لحقول نفط جديدة؛ الحفر للتنقيب عن النفط في دشت قيل؛ اتفاقية شركة النفط الأنجلو-فارسية مع خانات القشقولي" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣‎٢] (٢٥٤/١٣٦)

Mr Normals telegram No. 14, dated the 6th August to Mohammerah. As
JlLrds third point! Sir A. Wilson mentioned to me that he proposed to ask
nermission to purchase 300 rifles and corresponding ammunition from the South
Persia Rifles as reserve for use of guards and prospecting parties (Company
1 11 nrobablv’oHam'prospecting concessions on Arabian side of Gulf shortly)
and I said I saw no objection. As long as intention of Company is not to
arm a force in Persia, to keep arms in reserve at Basrah and eventually to
utilize most if not all of them outside Persia, I presume Persian Government
can have no objection or indeed ground on which to base one. Fact that
South Persia Rifles were getting rid of rifles afforded Anglo-Persian Oil Com-
pany chance of getting some cheap and hence request at this particular moment.
Needless to say there is no idea of raising a force of 300 men.
As regards Persian Government attitude regarding protection of new
field, Anglo-Persian Oil Company could only judge by past experience which
has shown them that Persian Government has never attempted to protect their
parties, and make their arrangements with tribes; in this connection please
see mv telegram No. 223.
Telegram R., dated the 18th (received 19th) November 1921.
From—His Majesty’s Charge d’Affairs, Tehran,
To—High Commissioner, Baghdad, 380.
(Repeated Shiraz 149, Bushire 139 and Mohammerah 25.)
Following for Wilson. Begins. Mohammerah telegram No. 299, dated
the 14th November.
I will do my best to counter Soulet’s influence with Government here,
but as a meeting"between him. and yourself had been arranged by your invitation
to take place immediately after Christmas at Firuzabad, I think it would be
a pity to neglect this chance of squaring Soulet by deferring interview.
I would urge you therefore to try and do business with him if you possibly
can.
Telegram R., dated the 19th (received 20th) November 1921.
From— Chick, Shiraz,
To—His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires, Tehran, 208.
(Repeated Baghdad for Wilson, and Bushire and Mohammerah.)
1 ' ' • '
Your telegram to Wilson, No. 380.
In the circumstances which have arisen place and date of meeting should
he chosen with caution. Fjruzabad was my suggestion, but by Christmas
Soulet will he probably in his winter quarters, 70 miles further South-East,
| and visit to latter place is no longer expedient. 1
If Soulet finds that Persian Government cease to support his interests in
matter of Kashkulis agreement during next few months, he may become more
amenable and see his best plan is to come to terms with Director. But until
it is clear they have ceased meeting would do more harm than good because
Soulet would stand out for cancellation of agreement.
It would be distinctly risky for Wilson to venture into Soulet’s own
country in present situation when Soulet is puffed up with Government
support and regaining part of Dareshuris.
I consider meeting should be deferred till spring migration when Soulet
is in immediate vicinity of Shiraz ; he should be more circumspect and Wilson
in stronger position to bargain for what he needs in return for paying Soulet
subsidy, name*y document promising to keep his hands off Kashkulis and
agreement.
n0 ^ ^ >ers * iari Government say negotiations with Soulet should be
through Governor-General ? v ‘ o