Coll 28/95 ‘Persia. Relations with H.M.G. Private claims against H.M.G.: case of the S.S. “Kara Deniz”.’ [‎219r] (437/691)

39
in the beginning of August. The Turks were detaining ships by the end of
August. My ships were not taken over entirely for the transport of troops
in August. The Turks wanted to*take them but the Persian Embassy inter
fered. When I left Constantinople I thought the Kara Deniz had left
Bombay for Busrah. I had communication with the British Embassy when 5
I heard from the Captain he could not leave Bombay. L3. The Persian
Consul went to the British Consul and there was correspondence with London
and I heard about the 18th or 19th October that communication had been sent
from London to allow the ship to leave Bombay. The Persian Consul told me
that the British Consul had told him that a wire had been sent to London 13
about letting the ship go. Before the 21st October I heard nothing more
about the ship being released. L3 was the last telegram I got from the
Captain before I left except L 6 . I thought the ship would sail from Bombay.
When I left Constantinople I thought the ship was in Bombay. I had heard
nothing definite about the ship being allowed to sail. I did nothing until I got 15
the Persian Consul to send a telegram on 15th November. I expected
to take delivery in Bombay because I was to pay the crew, and the Persian
Flag was to be hoisted. There was nobody in Bombay to take delivery on my
behalf. But the Captain would follow my orders when he got them. I had
heard of the Shirazis. I had nothing to do with them. They were never my 20
agents. I was to pay <£360 a month, for wages from the 15th August. I sent
£1,000 because the Captain was asking for it. I got the money from jny safe.
Also the £500. I had collected money from my business. My book will show
the payments. They are not here. I was anxious for the ship to go to Busrah
to get cargo for Jeddah and Constantinople. The ship was to go with the 25
same Turkish Officers and crew. The Captain of the other ships are Greeks.
The Officers and crew are of various nationalities. I knew on the 1st Novem
ber war had broken between Turkey and the Allies.
I produce the telegram about the Teheran sailing from Persia to Fez.
I sent my man to Constantinople by the first boat to fetch my family. 30
The Kara Deniz was to be run by my agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. firm in the same way as the
other ships.
lie-examined by INVERARITY—
If I got to Constantinople I would try and get my ship to Piraeus. I have
some immoveable property and some cash there. I don t want to trade there 35
while war continues. When I changed my nationality many other Greeks in
Turkey did the same. Prior to that they had not been liable to serve. W e
thought it easier to become Persian subjects. Bachrato is a Greek although a
Turkish subject. My ships have always been transporting troops for the last
5 years if Government required that. About the end of August it became 40
compulsory. The documents I have produced relating to 4 other ships mention
my other partners.
Before I left Piraeus I had made arrangements for Greek Officers to come
out. I made an application to the Bombay Government for permission for
them to land. ' t 45
21 Correspondence with Government in January 1915.
22 Telegram sent on 9th January to Port Said.
23 Letter from Bashra to 30th October 1914.
I told my Solicitors about my transferring land to someone in Turkey in
order to effect the purchase of the ship. I didn’t want it to be mentioned in 50
Court. I am afraid about my relatives in Constantinople.
24 I have received three telegrams from my agent at Piraeus.
13th and 19th February.
To COURT—
I kept the accounts of the 7 steamers separate. It could be seen from 55
the books how much was due to each steamer out of the money due by the
Turkish Government.