763.72119/3279
The Persian Chargé (
Ali-Kuli Khan
) to the Secretary of
State
Washington
, November
21, 1918.
Excellency: I have the honor to submit
herewith, for your Excellency’s prompt and kindly consideration, copies
of the translation of two cipher cablegrams, which I have received from
the Minister of Foreign Affairs at Teheran.
As these messages clearly point out, the Imperial Persian Government is
appealing to the Government of the United States to recognize
[Page 258]
their right of representation
at the Peace Conference with the right to vote, in order that the vast
losses inflicted upon Persia by the belligerent Powers, who occupied and
invaded the neutral territory of Persia, be indemnified and the
sovereignty and economic and political independence of Persia be secured
for all time upon the firm foundation of justice which it is the
unalterable purpose of your Government to embody in the Peace Treaty. My
Government are assured that your Excellency’s Government will clearly
see the justice of this request on the part of Persia.
In my recent cablegrams I had urged my Government to take prompt action
in naming their delegation to the Peace Conference giving it full
instruction to co-operate thoroughly and closely with the Government of
the United States and to support the American delegation with their vote
in realizing the great principles enunciated by the President of the
United States.
If the British Government continues to take the attitude mentioned in the
enclosed cablegrams, how could Persia be given a chance at the Peace
Conference to safeguard her future, and have a voice in matters
discussed at the Peace Conference, which will directly and definitely
concern her destiny as a sovereign nation?
May I also submit herein enclosed, an article by La Marquise de Fontenoy,
published in the New York Evening Sun, under the
date of November 19th,1
which reflects to a degree the views of certain representatives of the
old regime in Great Britain concerning British policy in Persia.
At this time when the United States of America is to insure the
independence and sovereignty of all nations of the world, it is the aim
of the sovereign state of Persia, with the help of America, to guard
herself against all direct and indirect attempt upon the part of Great
Britain or any other Power, to interfere with her independence and seek
to use her as their “sphere of influence.”
As the time, preceding the opening of the Peace Conference, is very
short, may I beg your Excellency for a prompt and favorable answer which
I may transmit to my Government.
Accept [etc.]
Mirza Ali-Kuli Khan, N. D.
[Enclosure 1—Telegram—Translation]
The Persian Foreign Minister (
Aligoli
) to the Persian Chargé (
Ali-Kuli Khan
)
Teheran
, November 16, 1918.
Your Excellency’s last cables received. Necessary instructions will
be given. The thing that is immediate and important is this:
[Page 259]
as a result of conferences
and steps of the Persian Government regarding right of
representation at Peace Conference, I advise you as follows:
A note has been received from the British Minister to the effect that
the British Government on its own part is ready to receive the
empowered representative of Persia at the place where the Peace
Conference will be held so that he may give information on the
occasion when matters pertaining to Persia may be discussed.
It is evident that because of the great losses which, contrary to the
other neutral governments, the Government of Persia has suffered
during the war, it cannot imagine itself in the same position as the
other neutral powers. Moreover at the Peace Conference it is
possible that questions will be brought up in which the Persian
Government will be deeply concerned, and the Persian delegation must
defend the interests of Persia. Due to these considerations it is
necessary that the Persian delegate be a member of the conference
with power to vote …2
It is necessary that you follow up your former activities in this
respect and draw the attention of the appropriate authorities to the
object and to the losses suffered by the Persian Government, in
order that in fulfillment of Persia’s expectations, the American
Government may officially recognize Persia’s membership and right to
vote at the Peace Conference. I expect good results from your
activities.
[Enclosure 2—Telegram—Translation]
The Persian Foreign Minister (
Aligoli
) to the Persian Chargé (
Ali-Kuli Khan
)
Teheran
, November 18, 1918.
Through the cables gradually sent you, you are assuredly advised,
concerning the objects of the Imperial Persian Government in their
international policies.
After the recent events which indicated the termination of
hostilities the Government deemed it advisable to convene a meeting
of ministers, dignitaries, and notables of the capital, in order to
consult upon the aims and policies, of Persia and resolve upon a
definite plan. The above meeting, in the course of several sessions,
conferred and exchanged views, and voted their opinion as
follows:
Although the Imperial Persian Government adopted the policy of
neutrality from the beginning of the war, and pursued it to the very
end, nevertheless the territory of Persia was made a theatre of the
war during the entire period of hostilities. Inasmuch as for
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this reason, Persia was
subjected to violence and hardships, and suffered vast material and
moral losses, the Government of Persia therefore request from the
sense of Justice and fairness of the Powers the carrying out of the
following articles:3
- First: Persian Government delegation be admitted to the
Peace Conference even though representatives of other
neutral powers are not admitted. This is because of the
losses inflicted upon Persia and the conflict of the
belligerents upon Persian territory.
- Second: The annulling and cancellation of treaties,
conventions, and agreements which are in contravention of
the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Persia, and the
obtaining of sufficient assurances on the part of powers
signatory to the International Peace Treaty, in order that,
in the future the sovereignty and the territorial integrity
of Persia be safeguarded against all interference.
- Third: Persia to be indemnified for the losses inflicted
upon her by any of the belligerent powers.
- Fourth: The economic and [sic]
independence of Persia.
- Fifth: Revision of the treaties which have not as yet been
declared null and are still in force, and the positive
determination to annul the capitulations.
- Sixth: Making new commercial treaties and arranging our
customs tariff based on our economic independence.
- Seventh: Securing co-operation for the Persian Government
in revising the concessions which have not yet been made
null and void, and arranging them in conformity with the
principles stated in the above mentioned articles.
- Eighth: The ratification of Persia’s frontier lines and
the restoration of Persian territory wrongfully
taken.
You will see that these eight demands which the Imperial Government
makes are based upon and within the scope of the fourteen principles
and conditions outlined by President Wilson, all of which have been accepted in principle
by all the Powers. And the Imperial Government, because of the
losses suffered during the war expects that the Government of the
United States of America, to which your Excellency is accredited,
may not refuse to assist it in realizing these demands.
You are instructed to immediately convey these propositions to the
authorities concerned, and not to fail in any action which is deemed
necessary to obtain the assistance of the United States Government,
and to advise me of result immediately.
I also convey for your own information the following point: The
British Legation declares that the British Government is willing
that the fully empowered delegation of Persia be received at the
place
[Page 261]
where the Peace
Congress is to be held, in order that he may furnish information
whenever necessary, concerning matters relative to Persia.
It is evident that, in such a case, it is impossible for the Persian
delegation to defend its country’s interests; for at the Conference,
questions will be taken up in which the Persian Government is both
directly and indirectly interested.
The safeguarding of Persia’s interests is, therefore, dependent upon
the Persian delegation being a member of the Conference, and
possessing the right to vote.
A similar answer is given to the British Legation.
I expect of your Excellency also to take immediate action and advise
me of result.
No. 38
