File 3516/1914 Pt 5 'German War: Persia; situation in Arabistan 1915' [‎70r] (148/404)

' ! From Sir P. Cox, ISth VawFTmSr'
{Addressed Government of India, repeated to Minister, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , and
Southern Persia Offices by post or telegraph.)
(R.) 576 B. General situation. My telegram 10th March :—
Gurna.— On Tigris side no change. Floods still rSt. Turks remain
encamped few miles above us, but with reduced force. Crude attempt has
been made during last few days to float GpW/ts down on to His Majesty’s
ships. On Euphrates side, above Gurna, river tribes who had submitted to
ns and were settling down are showing signs of nervousness owing to recent
news of strong Turkish reinforcements coming down for advance to Basra.
Basra. —Our outpost at Shaiba, 10 miles away, has been strengthened.
Turco-Arab force threatening it also continues to receive additions to its
strength, and is now reported to consist of 5,000 regular infantry, 500 cavalry,
about 5,000 Arabs and 12 guns. One or two skirmishes have occurred
between reconnaissance parties in which we have incurred trivial losses, but
in which our own artillery is believed to have inflicted heavy loss at long
range. Turkish force is receiving supplies by waterways through marshes ;
these communications are now being blockaded by light draught river boats
fitted with breech-loading guns which have done considerable damage to
their boats.
• Arabistan. —Tribal situation in south has somewhat improved.
Rebel Chab at Fallahia, held in check by presence of H.M.SiA^M MctnA ,
has not made the expected move towards Ahwaz. Desultory hostilities
between the loyal and disaffected tribesmen in •larrahi and Hinclia districts,
but the call to Jihad seems to have little effect.
At A Won, | - p Turco-Arab force is encamped about 10 miles (•? away) and is believed
to have had reinforcements ; they do not, however, seem to be disposed to
attack yet, it is expected that very soon they will have either to advance to
Karim or else to retire to Karkha owing to exhaustion of water supply where
they are. Haji Rais reported to-day, 18th March, news received from
reliable correspondent in Shuster to the effect that Vali of Pushtikuh himself
had reached Upper Kcv-HALa. , near Shush, with a very large force, and is
accompanied by well-known Mujtahid from Kerbela.
News from Disful and Shuster towns is good. Numerous exhortations
received from Mujtahids of Mesopotamia, but they have had no effect.