ملف ٧٠٥/١٩١٦ الجزء ١ "انتفاضة عربية - تقارير" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣‎٢] (٤٩٤/١٢)

MESOPOTAMIA.
The situation on tho Tigris is unchanged, and the available news
centres round the activities of the tribes.
From the report of an agent it appears that the Arabs at Kerbela are
now against the Turks, and would assist the British in the event of an
advance in that direction. The same agent states that the Turks at
Ersingjan are very short of munitions, and would collapse if attacked.
On the other hand, certain hostile Arabs have been moving in boats
through the western marshes, led, it is said, by Turkish officers. Already
one convoy has been attacked on Lake Hamar. The necessary precautions
are being taken; two gunboats and three armoured launches are being sent
to guard the Tigris lines of communication between Qalat and Qurnah.
CAUCASUS.
Military Events.
The Russian force in the Kermanshah region has been gradually
retiring before a numerically superior Turkish force. The German pressure
at Kovel prevented the dispatch of troops from General Alexieff to
General Baratoff. In view of the consequences that might follow the
fall of Kermanshah the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs suggested
that the Russian Government would be grateful if Indian troops could
be sent to reinforce General Baratoff, but this was apparently found im
practicable.
It appears that on 30th June a strong Turkish force, supported by
Kurds and with 16 guns, advanced from Mahidasht against the Russian
positions west of Kermanshah. Severe fighting took place, as a result
of which the Russian forces were compelled to evacuate Kermanshah
on 1st July. They retired in good order to a point between Kermanshah
and Bisitun.
On 2nd July the Turks resumed their offensive, and General Baratoff’s
rearguard was forced to retire to Hajiabad.
At the present moment the Turks have halted midway between
Kermanshah and Bisitun and the Russians are facing them. The general
opinion in Teheran is that if the Turks mean to advance further the
Russians will not be able to hold them owing to their inferiority in
numbers. The Turkish objective is thought to be Teheran ; according
to the latest news, however, the Turks are entrenching opposite Bisitun,
and are at present not attempting to advance further.
Effects of the Russian Retirement.
The effects of the Russian withdrawal from Kermanshah may be con
siderable. One thousand hostile Kelbag Kurds have been reported as
moving between Sihna and Bijar. There seems to have been an outburst
of feeling throughout Kurdistan, instigated by agitators preaching a Jehad.