On Distant Service by Susan M. Stein

Author:Susan M. Stein [Stein, Susan M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Historical, Political, Political Science, History & Theory
ISBN: 9781640123526
Google: GknnDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: U of Nebraska Press
Published: 2020-07-01T03:30:52+00:00

Although in this report Imbrie supported the financial mission, Millspaugh’s work may have unwittingly contributed to Imbrie’s death, as will be seen.

Imbrie was understandably suspicious of Britain’s intentions and actions. Britain had troops in practically every part of the country, and it helped fund the country’s running expenses. It controlled the country’s entrances and exits as well as its telephone and telegraph lines.49 The lopsided Persian-Anglo agreement of 1919 protected Great Britain from Persian claims against war damages.50 To some Persians the agreement rendered Persia a British mandate, like Iraq, in all but name.51

To its discredit, Britain had made Persia a debtor nation and used bribes to get what it wanted and to feed corruption. In 1922 James Balfour, a member of a British advisory team to Persia, mentioned the bribes in his book Recent Happenings in Persia, creating a furor in England and Persia. Although the book was withdrawn in the face of libel proceedings, the exposé confirmed a well-known suspicion: graft was part of the cost of doing business in Persia, and the size of the bribes was proportionate to the expectations of those controlling an oil-rich country.52

Although Imbrie noted that the British were in a stronger position in Persia than the Russians, he penned a warning:

Since Bolshevik interests would be advanced by projected American developments, it may be stated that the Bolsheviks are, with reservations, in favor of these enterprises. . . . The Sinclair people seem to have the confidence of the Bolshevik Government, and certainly if this project is to become an operating and marketing success it must find the outlet for its oil through Bolshevik territory and Bolshevik pipelines. The northern railway project is looked upon with favor by the Bolshevik Government since, when completed, it would connect the Caucasus with Persia, provide an accessible market, and in the event of war, open up an available route for a Russian force to penetrate Persia.53

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