'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎68r] (138/256)

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Geimanj the lurks are making' continual military preparation which can only be directed
against the British.
No. 39.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 27th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
1 olitioal Agent, Bahrein, reports 23rdJ October, Sheikh and other notables approve
despatch of troops to Bahrein and will probably send telegrams to Sheikh-ul-Islam
deprecating provocative actions of Turkey.
No. 40.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 2§th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Your telegram of the 26th. Expeditionary Force “ I) ” arrived at Bahrein, 23rd October.
Necessary instructions issued.
No. 41.
Mr. Roberts to Sir Edward Grey, dated 29th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Before dawn this morning two or three Turkish torpedo-boats raided Odessa harbour and
sank Russian gunboat Donetz. French ship Portugal damaged ; two of the crew killed, two
wounded. Russian steamships Vitiaz and Liataref and Whanpao damaged. Some loss of life
was caused in the town itself by shell fire.
No, 42.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir L. Mallet, dated 30th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
In i iew of hostile acts that have been committed, Russian Government have instructed
Russian Ambassador to leave Constantinople with all his staff. Should His Excellency leave,
you should yourself send in a note to the Sublime Porte to say that His Majesty’s Government
have learnt with the utmost surprise of the wanton attacks made upon open and undefended
towns of a friendly country without any waiyiing and without the slightest provocation, and
that these acts constitute an unprecedented violation of the most ordinary rules of inter
national law, usage, and comity. Russia has shown the utmost patience and forbearance in
face of icpeated violations of the rules of neutrality by Turkey, and in face of most provocative
acts, amounting in reality to acts of hostility, and in this attitude of restraint her allies, Great
Britain and France, have co-operated. It is evident that there is no chance of a return to a
piopei obsei vance of neutrality so long as the'German naval and military missions remain at
Constantinople, and such a situation cannot be prolonged. Unless, therefore, the Turkish
Government will divest themselves of all responsibility for these unprovoked acts of hostility
by dismissing the German military and naval missions, aud fulfilling their often repeated
promises about the German crews of the Goeben and Breslau, and will give you a satisfactory
reply to this effect within twelve hours from the date of the delivery of the’ note, you should
ask for your passports and leave Constantinople with the staff of the embassy.
No. 43.
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Grey, dated 30th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Russian Ambassador asked for his passports this afternoon and I and my French colleague
have followed suit. Minister of the Interior, in conversation with a neutral collea<>-ue this
afternoon, practically admitted that Turkey had thrown in her lot with Germany. °I have
had a very painful interview with the Grand Vizier, who had been kept in the dark as to his
colleagues’ intentions, and who will doubtless be set aside to-night.
)
No. 44.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 30th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Expeditionary Force “ D.” Order another Brigade of 6 th Division to be got ready at
once for despatch. Have you transports ready for this force irrespective of those already
detailed for next convoy to Europe or Egypt ? I will arrange with Admiralty accordingly.
iNo. 45.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 3lst October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Reference my telegram of 30th October. Expedition “ D.” Please instruct brigade' at
Bahrein to proceed at once to Shatt-el-Arab, and to concert measures with Naval authorities
S 306 B