'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎57v] (114/1386)

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From Viceroy; to Secretary of State for India, dated 13th October 1914.
H. 1469. Reference your 1207 of 10th. Expedition “IV'
“ We realise that there certainly will be difficulties in dis-embarkation and re-embarkation
at Bahrein, but as between it and Basidu our information derived from Sir P. Cox and Bin
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26th
September. Force will leave Bombay and Karachi on 16th October and 17th October,
respectively, and should arrive at Bahrein about 23rd.
at Bahrein, but as between it and Basidu our intormation derived trom Sir P. Cox and Bird
wood is that water is plentiful at Bahrein {«ven if not very good/while Basidu has none. Wt
are therefore sending to Bahrein advanced Force mentioned in your No. 1062, of 26tl
In accordance with the above the advanced borce under Brigadier-
General Delaniain left India with the convoy for Egypt on the 10th October,
under sealed orders, and as previously arranged was diverted to Bahrein
when three days out from Bombay.
General Delamain was informed in a letter, No. 10,093/1, of Sth October,
from the Chief of General Staff, Simla, that the expedition would sail to the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. under convoy ; that he was to concert, in consultation with the
Senior Naval Officer, his plan for disembarking and carrying out the role
assigned to him, and for this purpose should arrange to travel in the same
ship; that Major Smyth, Cheshire Regiment, had been appointed to his Staff
on special service, and would furnish him with maps, books, and documents.
He was also told that the plan of operations, which had been prepared by the
General Staff, India, was not intended in any way to fetter his action, and
that it was hoped that the local Consular Officials would be able to .assist
him. He was to report all important movements of troops to the Chief of
the General staff..
With these orders was enclosed a paper of secret instructions following
those conveyed in the Secretary of State’s telegrams Nos. 1 144 and 1158 of
the 3rd and 5th October.
Brigadier-General Delamain was also informed that in the event of
hostilities with Turkey the remainder of the 6th Division would follow in
his support, and that in the meantime he should take such military and
political action as he thought feasible to strengthen his position, and, if
possible, to occupy Basra.
From the 15th to the 23rd October many indications of activity on the
part of the Turks and of co-operation with Germany were reported. A son
of the Kurdish Chief Issa left Constantinople for Basra to b^gin an anti-
English propaganda, while Major Omar Fevzi Bey with some German
officers was reported as passing through Aleppo with horses, money, and
arms, together with two batteries of guns for the Arab Chief Ibn-cl-Resjfhid.
Mines were said to have been sent from Baghdad to Basra, Shamsu/iya,
Muhammerah, and Fao, and troops and munitions to various places.
On the 24th October 1914 the Bolitical Resident, Bushire, telegraphed to
the Secretary of State for India :—
“ 1279. Following from Consul at Muliammerali, dated 23rd October, No. 157 :
“‘My telegram No. 155.
‘ Sheikh's man informs me there are four guns and 300 men posted on the island opposite
mouth of Karun.
“ ‘ Sheikh has moved a number of his household and quantity of his effects up the Karun.
• • ‘ These two events have had a disturbing effect on the town and there is considerable
nervousness amongst (clerks ? and) other low class foreigners, who fear that an attack on the
place is imminent. I think the position here is decidedly serious.
The telegram No. 1557ibove referred to was one which ended with tin
uewhat disquieting words:—“If any steps tire going to lie taken t<
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somewltat disquieting wonts:— n am si-ep* tuc iu ut- iai\cn to
protect Abadan and our interests in these parts I venture to urge thatthey
should bq taken promptly.”
On the other hand the Rr^rrh^it at 4liMd*c reported/that the Political
Agent at Koweit had forwarded a letter from Bin Saooa to the Sheikh of
Koweit intimating that he would stand by him and the British Government
in ihe event of war. -^ *
— This was followed oTT the 2Vth October 1914 by a telegram from the
Viceroy to the Secretary of State for India :—
“ Foreign Secret. 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 notables
approve despatch of troops to Bahrein and will probably send telegrams to Sheikh-ul-Islam
deprecating provocative actions of 1 nrkey.
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