ملف ٣٤٤٣\ ١٩١٤ الجزء ٣ "الحرب الألمانية: أفغانستان وبلاد فارس؛ العملاء الألمان؛ القوات البريطانية في شرق بلاد فارس" [و‎‎١‎٤‎٧] (٣٤٥/٣٠٤)

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Ihis being so I would suggest that the whole of the first part of this letter
dowutotheword<‘ PersianGulf” should be expunged by the censor, unless
our prisoners are enjoying all the privileges mentioned by Herr Wassmuss. If
this is expunged the words for “here” and “on the points enumerated”
should also be expunged.
Major O’Connor has suggested, and I think the suggestion is a good one,
<1 repoit might hs mado as to tho troatmont of tho Gorman prisoners from
the Gulf and the Bushire deportees by some neutral person. I venture to
suggest that, if the Government of Bombay see no objection, the American
Consul or some other Consul of a neutral power (not being an Englishman of
course) might he asked to make a report with special reference to the points
enumerated by Herr Wassmuss.
It is hardly necessary to say that the position of Major O’Connor and his
seven companions in misfortune is a very uncomfortable and even precarious
one. If therefore it is possible to ameliorate it, or even to prevent it, being
made w^orse, by proof that the German and Persian prisoners from the Gulf are
well treated, it appears most desirable that steps should be taken to procure
and produce such proof.
I may add that Shaikh Husain and Zair Khidhar in sending Herr Wass
muss’ letter to me and one from themselves to the principal Persian prisoners at
Basrah, stated that if these letters were not sent and favourable replies received,
hey would cut off our communication with the prisoners.
These Khans have got into the habit now-a-days of writing threatening
letters and very probably do not mean much, but as the lot of the prisoners
would be much harder if communication with Bushire were cut off, it seems
desirable to humour the Khans in this matter.
I venture to suggest, therefore, that the letter, after being duly censored,
may be delivered to Hr. Listemann and a reply obtained as soon as possible,
together with a report by a neutral Consul. In order to avoid the necessity for
censoring Dr. Listemann’s letter by the military authorities here, it would be
advisable that it should be in general terms, and this makes another reason for
expunging the first part of Herr Wassmuss’ letter.
Annexure to enclo. 3 to Serial No. 253.
Translation of a letter.
Heir Hr. Lisiemann,
More than 20 natives and Englishmen are here as prisoners up to the
present, they have been treated with the utmost consideration.
The women have been allowed to go free without further action, and have
gone to Bushire, we have therefore expressed a hope that also the Persian
women and children who have been compelled to leave Bushire, will be allowed
to return there and also that Erau Eisenhut will be at liberty to return to
Germany, or to any place which she may herself chose.
The male prisoners enjoy the following privileges
(1) They are allowed under supervision of the postal authorities to send
and to receive letters.
(2) They receive English papers to read.
( 3 ) They have retained their own servants.
(4i) In addition to the rations provided, they are allowed to obtain any
food and drinks, which they desire, and to have them prepared
by their own cook.
(5) Other personal items, such as books, clothes and tobacco they may
obtain according to their desires.