'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎103v] (209/256)

No. f7.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 9th Febrnan/ 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
W ith reference to Cox s telegram of (Hh February with Consul's recommendation to
strengthen force at Ahwaz. My telegram of 8th instant authorising reinforcements disposes
of necessity for further orders. The question now is purely military and may necessitate
active military measures at once if strength and distribution of Barrett's Force admits of
such with due regard to enemy's disposition in Knrna and Xasiriveh directions.
No. ft.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 12th Fehraan/ 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Reference my telegrams of 1st and 5th February to which no reply vet received. War Office
now state definitely that they cannot provide reinforcements for India from either hjgypt or
Fiigland and that they cannot send any to Aden until it is certain that no serious attack is
being made on the ( anal. I should therefore be glad to have your views at once as to how,
in case of emergency, you now propose to provide the troops necessary to make position in
Mesopotamia secure as 1 am strongly of opinion that some such emergency is more than
possible. I he course of events on the Karun side exemplifies the necessitv for prompt action.
Had we been able to despatch an adequate force at once it is conceivable that the Arabs along
Karun would not have risen against us and destroyed the pipe-line.
No,
(reneval Barrett to Secretary of State for India, dated \Sth February 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Cavalry patrol from Ahwaz encountered Arab horsemen 11 miles north-west of Aminiyeh,
inflicting some loss. Our casualties, two killed, two wounded. All quiet elsewhere.
No.<m
It event I Barrett to Secretary of State for Balia, dated 19/h Fehrnan/ 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Xorth of Ahwaz on the left bank of Karun the Sheikh of Mohammexah's levies have
driven back the Bawi tribe to \\ ais. All quiet at Kurna. 1 have sent a force under General
Delaniam to-day from Basra lo Shaiba to attack a mixed force of Turks and Arabs reported
to have collected about 15 miles west of that place.
No.
General Barrett to Secretary of State for India, tinted 20th Fehru try 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
General Delamain's force reached point some 8 miles south-west of Shaiba. He thinks
it is not prudent to advance further with the force at his disposal, and returns to Basra via
►Shaiba. All quiet elsewhere. Floods increasing at Kurna.
No. fc*.
Chief of General Staff. India, to War Office, dated 21s/ February 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Reports from Basra indicate that the Turks are sending reinforcements to Xasiriyeh by
the Shat-el-Hai which is now reported navigable for large steamers with lighters between
Kut-el-Amara and Shatrat-al-Muntafik; it is possible t hat the Huphrates line of advance is
being used. It is stated that about 3,000 Turkish troops with 18 guns, as well as a large
number of tribesmen, are approaching Basra from the direction of Nasiriveh and that their
advance guard is at Rtwad Mounds.
No.
Senior Sara! Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to Admiralty, , luted 22nd February 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Comet and Shaitan and small force of troops at Ahwaz. 2,200 reported at Mushin
20 miles to the north-west of Ahwaz and more at Bisaitin with guns. 17th February cavalrv
patrols had skirmishes with Arabs 11 miles to the north-west of Ahwaz. Oil pipe'broken in
several places and no oil now coming to Abadan. Oil Company's Manager at Abadan states
present supply will be exhausted before middle of March. Turks to the north-west of Basra
near Gubashiyeh estimated 5,000 with Arabs and 8 guns. Turks near Rotah about 8 miles
to the north of Kurna about 2,500 with <> 8 guns and 2,500 Arabs.