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'Mesopotamia. Commission' [65v] (133/256)
The record is made up of 1 file (126 folios). It was created in 1914-1916. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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4
within six miles of the shore are closed to warships, as they are territorial waters. Any
men-of-war disregarding this prohibition will be fired upon by the guns at Fao. These
regulations will be enforced from to-morrow evening, Wednesday', 7th October. They are
somewhat obscure, but they mean that H.M.S. Espirgle in the Karun and H.M.S. Dalhousie
at Abadan will be interned, unless they leave before the time fixed. No other British
man-of-war is this side of Fao. H.M.S. Lawrence is in the Shatt-el-Arab to the best of my'
belief. His Majesty’s consul at Mohammerah has been informed of the above.”
No, 14,
Sir Edward Grey to Sir L. Mallet, dated 7th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
British warships in the Shatt-el-Arab.
H.M. Ships Espiegle, Odin, and Dalhousie are not in Turkish waters. There can be no
question of their being ordered out of waters which are not Turkish nor of their being
interned by the Turkish Government. According to generally accepted principles of
international law, Turkish territorial waters extend to 3 miles out to sea from the coast.
Two of His Majesty’s ships are being instructed to keep outside the 3-mile limit, while the
remaining ship is being told to remain at Mohammerah, which does not belong to Turkey.
Our long established right to pass freely up and down Shatt-el-Arab at all times is not in
question, and it must be recognised that we fully reserve that right.
No. 15.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 8th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Your telegram of 7th October. For the present it is not necessary to decide about Abadan,
and I am most anxious to avoid disturbing Indian Muhammadans ; but it is necessary to
reassure Arabs, who will be agitated by reports that Turks will spread of our retirement at
their dictation from Shatt-el-Arab. It is, therefore, important that an immediate demon
stration should be made. You apparently incline to Bassidu as a suitable rendezvous but for
scarcity of water. On the other hand, Bahrein lias great political advantages if difficulties of
landing can be met. Probably water difficulty at Bassidu can be overcome by distillation.
Shall be glad if you will send your views at once. Meanwhile, all preparations should
continue.
No. 16.
Chief of the General Staff, India, to Colonel W. S. Delamain, C.D., D.S.O.
dated 8th October 1914.
1 have the honour to send you herewith one sealed envelope containing :—
(a) Plan of operations for the protection of British interests at the head of the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
(b) Plan of operations for the support of Mohammerah.
(c) Plan of operations in Turkish Mesopotamia.
(d) Copies, in sealed envelope marked “A,” of the official correspondence which has
passed between the Government of India and the Secretary of State in regard
to the organisation, despatch and employment of Force “ D.”
2 . You will at once place yourself in communication with His Excellency the Naval
Commander-in-Chief and arrange a meeting as soon as possible after you have digested your
orders.
3. Please report by telegraph that you have received and understood your instructions.
Annex.
Orders for Colonel W. S. Delamain, C.B., D.S.O., Commanding Force “ DC
1 . Under instructions from His Majesty’s Government and Expeditionary Force consisting
of:—
Force Headquarters,
16th Infantry Brigade,
Nos. 23 and 30 Indian Mountain Batteries,
One Company Sappers and Miners,
One “ Combined ” Field Ambulance,
Supply Establishment,
with their transport will be detached from the convoy which leaves Bombay and Karachi on
15th October and will proceed under naval convoy up the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
2 . You are appointed to command the Force which is known as Indian Expeditionary
Force “ D.” '
3. It will be necessary for you to concert in close consultation with the senior Naval
Officer your plan for disembarking and carrying out the role assigned you. It will, therefore
be advisable, if the senior Naval Officer is agreeable, that you and some of your Staff should
travel in the same ship with him.
About this item
- Content
The file contains proofs of official prints required for the statutory commission on the Mesopotamian Expedition [the Mesopotamia Commission, 1916-17]. The papers include transcripts of telegrams and letters (some paraphrased) from the Secretary of State for India, the Viceroy, and the Commander of the Expeditionary Force, 1915-16, General Sir John Eccles Nixon. The file includes papers relating to operations in 1914-15, medical arrangements on the expedition (folios 33-60), press allegations concerning the advance from Kut-el-Amara [Kut Al-Amarah] in 1916 (folios 91-93), and the question of occupying Baghdad (folios 31-32).
The papers are enclosed an a folder inscribed on the front cover: 'Military Department. Previous Papers', and labelled '3'. A further label on the front cover is printed 'Mesopotamia Commission, 28 Abingdon Street, Westminster.'
- Extent and format
- 1 file (126 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 127; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
Pagination: there are five additional printed pagination sequences in parallel between ff 64-90, ff 91-93, ff 94-103, ff 109-177, and ff 120-126.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Mesopotamia. Commission' [65v] (133/256), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/777, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100087955907.0x000086> [accessed 22 December 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/777
- Title
- 'Mesopotamia. Commission'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:15v, 19r:127v, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence