File 978/1917 Pt 3 'Mesopotamia and Persia: occupation of Baghdad; protection of holy places' [‎35v] (79/410)

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Telegram B., No. 3122, dated the 8th (received 9th) April 1918.
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
In continuation of my telegram of March 27th, 2853. Najaf. No
local tribal developments. Mounds outside walls of Najaf commanding the
town were occupied to-day by our troops with artillery support. Informa
tion received indicates growing dissensions among rebels in town. Blockade
of town closely maintained.
Documents captured at Anah in possession of German Political Officer
Preusser refer definitely to Najaf rebellion as having been brought about by
AJami who has been receiving £1,500 a month in gold from Preusser and
demonstrate existence in Najaf of an Islamic rebellion committee avowed
object of which was to use Najaf as a centre of religious agitation amongst
the tribes in Mesopotamia. Reliable information indicates that 100 or more
members of religious community in Najaf are implicated not incduding
however as far as is known at present any men of first class importance.
Public opinion in Baghdad appears to contemplate with complacency
stringent action against malcontents in Najaf.
(Addressed Foreign Office; repeated to Tehran, Bushire, Basrah and Qox.)
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Telegram R., No. 3231, dated the lltb (received 12th) April 1918.
F rom—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla. ^
In my next telegram I am repeating a cypher telegram from Persian
Consul-General, Baghdad, to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Tehran, re°-ardin°-
Najaf affairs sent with my concurrence. D °
Kindly transmit to addressee if you see no objection. Translation of text
according to paraphrase handed to me by Persian Consul-General is as
follows: —
Najaf is still blockaded, the malcontents have entrenched themselves in
Mushraq quarter and provisioned themselves there. The towns people neatly
resented their action and contemplate assisting the Government by attacking
them. Yazdi telegraphed to General Officer Commanding in Chief that
ulemas and poor had no part in matter and urged that water be turned on
again.
He also requested that Ulemas, pilgrims and travellers should be allowed
to leave town.
in deference to YazdPs representations General Officer Commanding i
Chujf has given orders accordingly. The Vice-Consul of Persia asked to b
allowed to leave and has been given an affirmative reply.
The malcontents and murderers however have not been and will not b
pardoned. Some of them occupied a mound outside the city. The Britis
attacked them there and ktlled some of them. After this event some notable
of the city came out and got into communication with Government and ar
discussmg plans for arrest of the murderers. Information recently receive"
shows clearly that all these th.ngs have happened at instigation of Turks
(Addressed Tehran.)
Telegram P., No. 3244, dated the 11th (received 12th) April 19)8,
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad
To-The ^orewto the Government of India in the Foreig’n and Political Depar
No local tribal developments. General Officer Commandm* in Chief hr,
sanctioned water being turned on again, in deference to plea of two Najs