'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎66r] (134/256)

4. The Plans of Operations forwarded have been prepared by the General Staff, India
They are in no way intended to fetter your action. They are based on the latest information
available in India which may be found to require revision in matters of detail. The local
consular other authorities will, it is hoped, be able to assist you in this.
5. 't ou will keep the Chief of the General Staff, India, informed of all important
movements of troops, and submit all ordinary reports and returns as prescribed in the Field
Servige regulations.
In the event of hostilities with Turkey, the remainder of the 6 th Division is being held in
readiness to support your force, and will follow as quickly as possible.
In the meantime you will take such military and political action as you think feasible to
strengthen your position, and if possible, occupy Basra.
No. 17.
From Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 9th October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Your telegram of 8 th October. Expedition D. The difficulties of landing troops at
Bahrein can be overcome, and there is good water and ample space for camping grounds.
Distillation of water for a force landed at Bassider would be very difficult. There is no doubt
that Bahrein by its position near head of Gulf has many advantages, both material and
political, over Bassider, while it has none of the disadvantage^ of Abadan as a place of
disembarkation. The presence of our iroops at Bahrein would be a sufficiently good reply to
any boastings of the Turks, and should reassure completely the Arabs. Preparations are
being pushed forward, and one Brigade will start on 14th or 15th.
No.
Sir Edward Grey to Sir L. Mai
(Telegraphic.)
It seems to me that the key of the situation
give way to Turkish demands beyond a certair
nevertheless, I entirely share your view that His
even a plausible cause of offence to Turkey. I t
weeks has shown irrefutably that we desire to a^
No.
8 .
et, dated ID/a October 1914.
ies in Constantinople. It would be fatal to
point, especially in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , but,
Majesty’s Government should avoid giving
ink that our attitude during the past eight
ml a rupture with Turkey.
f
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward G.ey, dated 12//a October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
I have received note dated 11th October fron Porte, of which following is substance :
“ From information received by Porte, two British men-of-war have one after the other
passed up the Shatt-el-Arab to anchor at Moha nmerah. According to Treaty of Erzeroum,
the town of Mohammerah and its port belong to Persia, whilst Shatt-el-Arab is under Turkish
domination. This principle was reaffirmed by I'urco-British Declaration of 29th July 1913,
which specifies that from Nahr Nazaille, abov< Mohammerah, frontier follows river to sea'
leaving under Turkish sovereignty river itself a nd all the islands except ten, and modern port
and anchorage of Mohammerah. This port a nd the anchorage thus formed an enclave in
Ottoman waters which must be traversed in ore er to reach them. Consequently men-of-war
in question have not respected Imperial territor
have disregarded neutrality of the Porte, whos
men-of war. On these grounds the Porte as
commanders of men-of-war in question to leave
and to go to sea.”
j in penetrating into her internal waters, and
duty it is not to allow passage of foreign
ks me to cause instructions to be sent to
the port of Mohammerah within eight days
No.
& 0 .
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward G 'ey, dated \2tli October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
1 do not think that we could now leave Mol ammerah without loss of prestige. In view
of receipt of Vali’s note respecting presence of Iritish men-of-war in the Shatt-el-Arab, effect
of moving His Majesty s ships at the inquest of i he Turkish Government, once they were sent
to Mohammerah, might have led the Arabs ;o misinterpret the action of His Majesty’s
Government. 1 would not regard the note in tlie light of an ultimatum, though it is not
impossible that Turks might close the channel, ; nd thus prevent His Majesty’s ships from
going out, except in agreement with the Turkish authorities. General belief is that Germans
are at present applying considerable pressure up* n the Turks to take part in the war, but that
the Turks are so far resisting. My anxiety is h st the resistance which the Minister of War
is encountering from the Moderates should be w
be interpreted as aggressive by the Turks,
co-operation with the Germans.
akened by any act on our part which could
Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is said to be in favour of immediate
No. 21.
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Gr<
(Telegraphic.)
My telegram of 12th October. I have infoil
receive His Highness's note inviting His Majesty’
>y, dated 12th October 1914.
med Grand Vizier that I was surprised to
; ships to leave Mohammernh within eight