'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎98r] (198/256)

Germany the Turks are making continual military preparation which can only We directed
against the British.
No. 3f(
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 27th October
(Telegraphic.)
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein, reports 23rd October. Sheikh and other notables approve
despatch of troops to Bahrein and will probably send telegrams to Sheikh-ul-Tslani
deprecating provocative actions of Turkey.
No. V /
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 28th October Ibid.
(Telegraphic.)
Your telegram of the 26th. Ivxpeditionary Force D” arrived at Bahrein, 23rd October.
Necessary instructions issued.
No. yAjr
Mr. Hoherts to Sir Edicard drey, dated 2 i dth October lltld.
(Telegraphic.)
Before dawn this morning two or three Turkish torpedo-boats raided Odessa harbour and
sank Russian gunboat Donetz. French ship Portugal damaged ; two of the crew killed, two
wounded. Russian steamships Vitiaz and Liazaref and IVhmipao damaged. Some lossMif life
was caused in the town itself by shell fire.
No, h. ^
Sir h’llward <irey to Sir L. Mallet, dated 30f/i October Ibid.
(Telegraphic.)
In view of hostile acts that have been committed, Russian Government have instructed
Russian Ambassador to leave Constantinople with all his staff. Should His Kxcellencv leave,
you should yourself send in a note to the Sublime Porte to say that His .Majesty’s Government
h ave learnt with the utmost surprise of the wanton attacks made upon open and undefended
Towns of a friendly country without ain- warning and without the slightest provocation, and
that these acts constitute an unprecedented violation of the most ordinary rules of inter
national law, usage, and comity. Russia has shown the utmost patience and forbearance in
face of repeated violations of the rules of neutrality by Turkey, and in face of most provocative
acts, amounting in reality to acts of hostility, and in this attitude of restraint her allies, Great
Britain and France, have co-operated. ft is evident that there is no chance of a return to a
propel" observance of neutrality so long as the German naval and military missions remain at
Constantinople, and such a situation cannot be prolonged. Unless, therefore, the Turkish
Government will divest themselves of all responsibility for these unprovoked acts of hostility
by dismissing the German military and naval missions, aud fulfilling their often repeated
promises about the German crews of the Goeben and Breslau, and will give you n satisfactory
reply to this effect within twelve hours from the date of the delivery of the note, von should
ask for your passports and leave Constantinople with the staff of the embassy.
No.
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Grey, dated 30/// October 1014.
(Telegraphic.)
Russian Ambassador asked for his passports this afternoon and 1 and mv Fiench colleague
have followed suit. Minister of the Interior, in conversation with a neutral colleague this
afternoon, practically admitted that Turkey had thrown in her lot with Germany. J have
had a very painful interview with the Grand Vizier, who had been kept in the dark as to his
colleagues intentions, and who will doubtless be set aside to-night.
No.X
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 30/// October 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Uxpeditiouary Foice “ I). Order another Brigade of 6th Division to be got read\ at
once for despatch. Have you transports ready for this force irrespective of those already
detailed for next convoy to Europe or Egypt ? I will arrange with Admiralty for escort.
No.
r Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 31.s/ October lb!4.
(Telegraphic.)
Reference my telegram of 30th October. Expedition ‘’l).” Please instruct brigade at
Bahrein to proceed at once to Shatt-el-Arab, and to concert measures with Naval authorities
s itoti
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