Abstract: This file consists of a note which concerns Sir Percy Sykes's position as commander of the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles]. The note, written by the Secretary to the Political Department, India Office [Sir Arthur Hirtzel], is written in response to a telegram, dated 28 February 1917 and attributed to the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger].The note responds to points made in the telegram, particularly those which discuss Sykes's judgement as a commander and the circumstances in which Kazerun and Dashtarjin [Dashtestan] were captured by rebel forces in December 1917.The note also refers to the Viceroy's estimations for the South Persian Rifles' budget for 1917-18; it concludes that a great deal too much money is being spent, and that Sykes's accounts ought to be audited.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 75, and terminates at f 76, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file concerns attacks made against the South Persian Rifles [South Persia Rifles] by members of Persian tribes at Kazerun and Dashtistan [Dashtestan] (also spelled as 'Dasht-i-Arjun' and 'Dashtarjin' in the file), and the possibility of sending troops from Bushire.The file consists of a memorandum, dated 25 December 1916, by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) [William Robertson], and a minute, dated 27 December 1916 and written in response to the memorandum, by Edmund George Barrow, Military Secretary, India Office, and John Evelyn Shuckburgh, India Office.The memorandum proposes that control of the South Persian Rifles, commanded by Sir Percy Sykes, should be placed under the Commander-in-Chief in India, Sir Charles Carmichael Monro.The minute, which follows on from the memorandum, disagrees with some of its points. It argues that it is not quite fair to suggest that the failure to deal with the situation in Southern Persia was due solely to a lack of machinery, and suggests that a lack of resources was also a contributing factor. However, the minute does agree with the memorandum's proposal of placing the South Persian Rifles under the control of the Commander-in-Chief in India, so long as military action is taken with due regard both to political and diplomatic considerations and to the views of His Majesty's diplomatic representatives; the minute also advises that the Commander-in-Chief in India should invariably act in consultation with the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 40, and terminates at f 45, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume contains papers relating to the situation in the Bushire [Bushehr] hinterland, including Shiraz, in Southern Persia [Iran]. It includes papers relating to:The rebellion in Tangistan.Proposed improvements to Bushire roads.The deportation to Bushire of the Europeans and Indians arrested at Shiraz.The desirability or otherwise of negotiating with the khans of the Bushire hinterland hostile to the British.Negotiations by Farman Farma (Governor General of Fars) and Soulet ed Dowlah (the Ilkhani of the Kashgai tribe) with hostile khans.Surprise attacks made on the Southern Persia Rifles [South Persia Rifles] at Kazerun and Dashtarjin.The question of whether to appoint a General Officer to take over command of operations in Southern Persia from Sir Percy Sykes, or whether to leave Sykes in control of the Indian troops in Fars and the Southern Persia Rifles, provided that there would be attached to him a military officer of field rank experienced in tribal warfare, to whom Sykes would delegate military operations and executive command in the field.Measures for keeping the trade routes between Bushire and Shiraz open.The papers mainly consist of India Office Minute Papers, India Office internal correspondence, and the following correspondence:Correspondence between the India Office and the Foreign Office.Copies of Foreign Office correspondence with Sir Charles Murray Marling, H M Minister Tehran, and other correspondents, sent to the India Office.Correspondence between the India Office and the War Office.Correspondence between the India Office and the Government of India, and copies of Government of India Foreign and Political Department, Marine Department, and Army Department correspondence sent to the India Office.The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 297; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.