'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎72v] (147/256)

IS
No. h6.
(Telegi'apliic.)
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 2dth January 1915.
Reference my telegram of 27th January and yours of same date. L presume 12 th Brigade
will not arrive Mohammerah till about 7th February. Considering reported movements' of
enemy and spread of Jehad, this may be too late to protect pipe-line and oil-fields, as without
yisdde support friendly Arabs and Bakhtiaris may lose confidence in our power to assist them
in defending same. Under these circumstances is it not possible to send some troops from
Basra forthwith by river to Ahwaz ? Lynch's steamers and other available transport can
probably convey a few mountain guns, and a couple of battalions which should suffice to hearten
sheikh and his adherents as the Turkish raid is probably more formidable as regards potential
numbers than as regards its military value, while Ahwaz affords a good defensible point
dappui. I am asking Admiralty to send Odin back to Shaft without delay, and an/also
pressing AN ar Office for further reinforcements of second line troops from this side which
wouhi replace 12th Brigade in India and enable you to bring Barrett's force up to equivalent
of two Divisions. 1 lease acquaint me fully with your views on above suggestions and with
action you propose to take thereon.
No. 87.
/rp , , . . Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 30th January 1915
f telegraphic.) J
You,- telegram of 29th instant 12 th Brigade should arrive at Mohammerah abou
7th Bebruary. It is possible that they may be too late to protect pipe-line and oil-fields but
mom opinion, their jirotection should not be regarded as our orinrinnl 1 ' i ’• r
crush any attacks on Kurna or Basra. Defeat at either /f t ^ ’ "i Ch ^ t(
subsequent destruction of oil-fields and pipe-line In our view Barrett
own troops from Egypt. 1 C t0Im ° f the ieturn of a Division of on,
No. 88.
Secre[ar 'y ^ State to Viceroy, Army Department, dated 1st February 1915
(telegraphic.)
factor^in^/idfi^Ty^ituation.^l/an'^aiai^an^^nust be^the/firs^c ^ K J nia . are n }°re nuportai
obtained concurrence of F^Offlee. ' hi "
aafely’drcl^r^&^wS'p^ Wti.c.-nfiUent that he can or
may obviate larger military efforts^Yter^ aiT1Val ° f 12th Bri " ade ' Prom Pt support no
As regards reinforcements from Egypt or England I will reply later.
No. 89.
,,,, , , 'f E - Gre ' J 10 HU ^Vesty's Minister at Tehran, dated 3rd February 191.5
(telegraphic.) J
beco 0 m 1 n?cetarjTlld' 1 2 Tfo d 1 « 1 of th<! ,»1 our oil-fields. it ha,
Shaitan and Comet with Consul and 30 British M^try’arrived ™ a7 Majesty's Ship,
all was found quiet. The 7th Raiimts hav» ,,r,- + . , A az Januai J5 when
Persian Government, explaining that His Maiestv’s Co" ^ 11 P ] llver !' l° u should inforn
these measures for the defence of their interest Al t ”™ 6 ”, 4 ! mv . e I,ee,1 compelled to takt
foree sufficient to guarantee ^Pe,^,
measure, in the absence of any othe,- possible means of ‘“' “'on, and that this defensive
movement. * ^ u piotection, is the sole object of the
No. 90.
n , , , . , Secretar y of State for India to Viceroy, dated 6th February 1915
(telegraphic.) ^
Reference my telegram of 29th Januarv W nt .
reinforcements, either to replace 12 th R,Am,lik p Umce express inability to give an