File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎50r] (108/672)

u Further 1 , while the wireless telegraphy installations of French and British
{ships in Straits were dismantled by orders of the Turkish Government, a
German merchant vessel, the Lily llickmers, was allowed to retain and use her
apparatus, and was afterwards transferred to the Turkish Flag—a proceeding
which the Turkish Government themselves admit to be wholly illegal.
“ Another reason for grave disquietude has been the unfriendly treatment
by responsible Turkish officials in Baghdad and Mesopotamia of British subjects
and open incitement of the population by Turkish official circles against
Great Britain and her allies.
“ Notwithstanding all this provocation, His Majesty’s Government have
not only intimated that, if Turkish are substituted for German crews on Goeben
and Breslau, if British merchant shipping is not impeded, and if Turkey will
honourably carry out duties of a neutral State, not only would all these
illegalities and hostile acts be overlooked, but that a solemn and written
guarantee would be given that Great Britain will scrupulously respect
independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire.
“ Furthermore, assurances were given that, at the conclusion of peace, Great
Britain would see that no conditions were laid down which would impair that
independence and integrity, and that economic conditions of a character
favourable to Turkey would be obtained.
“ Great Britain, the greatest Mahomedan Power in the world and faithful
and consistent friend of Turkey whom she has steadfastly helped to maintain
her position in Europe and to recover stability shaken in Balkan wars, would
see with greatest regret that Turkey had been decoyed into ranging herself
on side of England’s enemies and adopting an attitude as unjustified as it
would he ungrateful, hut it cannot be denied that present situation shows that
there is a chauvinistic element endeavouring to drive Turkey into war with
England for benefit of Germany and of Austria, the secular enemy of Turkish
State.”
No communications will, of course, be issued by you until such time as
specific instructions from Government of India are received by you to do so.
Telegram, P., dated Therapia, the 6th (received 7th) September 1914.
p rom —His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador, Constantinople,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
His Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad has asked me to transmit to
Government of India the following telegram, dated 5th September :— Begins.
From Constantinople final orders have been received permitting the military
authorities to take in a few days my Dragoman and Kavases as soldiers. Are
the Government of India prepared to sanction my paying the native agent’s
exemption tax which amounts to £T 43 ? This man’s services are, both at
present and in more serious eventualities, invaluable and almost indispensable
to Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. .
Six out of nine Muhammadan Kavases will be taken. Of these only one
is qualified to pay exemption tax.
m
Telegram P., dated Therapia, the 6th (received 7th) September 1914.
From—His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador, Constantinople,
To The Foreign Office, London (repeated to Government of India).
The Aetinsr British Consul-General, Baghdad, is much perturbed about the
safety in the event of war with Turkey, of British subjects there. Only British
vessel’at present available there besides “ Comet ” is launch “ Ishtar ” winch
belongs to Lynch. It is impossible for women and children to leave gradually
and they cannot go unprotected via Persia. English community could be
sheltered temporarily in Consulate if danger arose, but should they have to