No. 329 Earl Curzon to Mr. Wardrop (Formerly H.M. Consul-General at Moscow) FOREIGN OFFICE, July 22, 1919 Sir, I have to inform you that you are appointed to proceed on a special political mission to Transcaucasia, with the title of Chief British Commissioner. Although the de facto authority of the Governments of Georgia, the Armenian Republic of Erivan, and of Azerbaijan has not as yet been formally recognized by His Majesty’s Government, you will be required to keep in close touch with these Governments, who will be informed of your mission through their Delegations at the Peace Conference in Paris. You will be accompanied by a staff composed of Mr. Vice-Consul T. E. Milligan Grundy, Mr. Vice-Consul J. A. Waite, and another secretary to be selected. The objects of your mission, in addition to that already mentioned, will be – (a) To report on the political situation in Transcaucasia. (b) To do your utmost to prevent friction between the volunteer army and the Transcaucasian Republics, and to ensure respect for the line to be drawn between their respective spheres. * Should this line at any time in the future be so defined as to leave the territory of Dagestan, or the North Caucasus Republic, on its southern side, you will be required to maintain relations with its Government in the same way as with those of the three Transcaucasian Republics already mentioned, and in any case you should endeavour to obtain information as to the political situation in Dagestan and report from time to time to His Majesty’s Government. (c) So far as the personnel at your disposal and the circumstances permit, to advance the interests of British trade in Transcaucasia and to report on trade matters. (d) So long as British military forces remain in Transcaucasia, matters of a purely military character will, of course, continue to concern the General Officer Commanding; but in political matters, especially in the advice to be given to the Governments of the various States mentioned, you will be independent of the British military command, though you should make a point of consulting the General Officer Commanding in the various questions which may arise. It will at the same time be the duty of the General Officer Commanding, in so far as political questions may affect his work, to consult with you, and not to act without your advice and consent. You will correspond direct with the Foreign Office, with the exception that, in matters of supply and relief, your communications should be made direct to the Supreme Economic Council in Paris, and in matters of trade to the Department of Overseas Trade. Copies of your communications with these bodies should be sent to the Foreign Office and also, in the case of relief and supply, to His Majesty’s High Commissioner at Constantinople, for communication to the representative of the Supreme Economic Council at that place. Detailed accounts of the expenditure of the mission should, of course, be kept, and it will be convenient that the first account should be rendered in respect of the period from the commencement of the mission to the 30- th September next. Accounts should be rendered quarterly thereafter. Suitable forms of accounts and vouchers will be supplied by the chief clerk to the member of the mission who will be charged with the preparation of the accounts. I have, & c., Curzon of Kedleston No. 409 Mr. Wardrop (Tiflis) to Earl Curzon (Received September 4) No. 1 Telegraphic. Tiflis, August 30, 1919 My reception by Georgians has been of very cordial nature. At Batoum yesterday I was met by numerous deputations, official and unofficial, who made speeches of welcome. Moslems and Christians were equally friendly. I was provided with the special train formerly reserved for ex-Emperor. All the stations were decorated with flags and (? local) traffic was suspended. On arrival at Tiflis this morning, August 30, I was met by Acting Prime Minister Gegechkori and Members of Government. Municipality, clergy, representatives of learned, artistic and . . . (The text here is uncertain) societies, foreign missions and a very large crowd of people of all classes. Guards of honour were provided by British and Georgian military authorities. All my movements were cinematographed and I was prey of photographers. Bands played British national anthem at railway station, opera and magnificent house placed at my disposal. For about 2 miles my route was decorated with flags and oriental carpets and lined with onlookers. Public buildings were illuminated in the evening; the day was held as a holiday. The extraordinary reception accorded to me is due to fact of Georgians being aware of affection I have felt for them during last 32 years . . . my appointment to this post as a sign that His Majesty’s Government are inspired by most friendly feelings towards their country and that a new era has begun for Georgia.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:43:09 +0000
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