"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [ظ‎‎٩‎٦] (٢٥٦/١٩٥)

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days I knew Hi* Higline.ss had no intention of creating difficulties. hut it sounded almost
like an ultimatum, ilohammerali was, as His Higlmess was aware a Persian port Grand
Viaier replied at once that, there was no question of an ultimatum. I explained His Majesty s
Government's point of view, and he said that he was at present awaiting your reply to
Turkish note. In the course of ensuing conversation, His Highness seemed as confident as
ever that he was able to resist German pressure, and he repeated that he was absolutely
determined to avoid war in any case. In reply to some observations of mine in regard to
Turkish fighting recently reported in Persia, he said that strict orders had been sent that no
Turkish troops were to cross the Irontier.
Nc.V
A'
H)U.
Sir Ij. Mallet to Sir K(heard <<ray, dated VSth Octobt
(Telegraphic.)
Consular officer at Basra telegraphs as follows:
“ I have been notified by Vali that H.M.S. Espiigle must he interned until the end of the
war unless she departs from Mohammerah and the Shatt-el-Arab within eight days from the
Hth instant. If she attempts to leave after the expiration of the said period, her passage
through the Shatt-el-Arab will be stopped by force of arms. The Dalhousie departed several
days ago. I have informed His Majesty's Consul at Mohammerah of the \ all s communi
cation.”
No.
/?
Sir Edward Urey to Sir L. Mallet, dated IWt October 1914.
( 1 ^fu^telecn-am of Pith October. Your Excellency should make the following reply to the
Turkish note protesting against the presence of British men-of-war in the Shatt-el-Arab:—
As regards the passage through the Shatt-el-Arab to and from the port of Mohammerah,
His Majesty's Government maintain’in principle the legitamacy of such passage but express
themselves quite readv to examine in a friendly spirit any representation that the Ottoman
Government mav make on the subject, if the Sublime Porte themselves strictly observe their
neutrality which they have gravely violated by continuing to retain the German officers and
crews on the Goelen and Breslav, in spite of all assurances and promises to the contrary His
Majesty’s Government are prepared to respond in a conciliatory spirit whenever the Ottoman
Government shall have conformed, as a neutral, to the principles of international law pre-
scribing the duties of neutral Powers. As regards the presence of British warships at the
port of Mohammerah, this is a matter with which the Sublime Porte is m no wise concerned,
since Mohammerah is not in Ottoman territory ; Porte have, therefore, no right to request
their departure."
No. V / ^
I iceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated VMb October 1914.
We realise that there certainly will be difficulties in disembarkation and re-embaikation
•it Bahrein but as between it amUlasidu our information derived from Sir P Cox and Bird-
wood is that water is plentiful at Bahrein, even if not very good while Basidu has nomv n e
are therefore sending to Bahrein advanced Force mentioned m your telegram of 26th
September. Force will leave Bombay and Karachi on 16th October and 1/th October,
respectively, and should arrive at Bahrein about 23rd.
I‘t
No.Sk,
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Urey, dated loth October 1914.
( ' ' son^of 1 Kurdish Chief Issa. who is stated to have influence in Mesopotamia, and who has
been in Constantinople for instructions, is said to have left for Basra to work anti-English
propaganda, and other agents, including Germans, are said to be on their way to Afghanis an
on similar errand. I learn that Zekki Pasha, commander of bth corps has lately received
5.000/. to distribute amongst Bedouins, and that as much as 35,000/. m gold left heie bj tiam
on 12th for Svria Senator Abdurrahman is working among Bedouins at Maan and Muntaz
Bev on the west by Beersheba and Jerusalem. Party of Turkish sailors mentioned as
having left here by train for Basra are now stated to be on the way to Akaba with consign
ment of metal boats. Another lot of boats is at Rayak, possibly on the way to Beirout.
Ouantities of dynamite have been sent to the coast towns of Syria, probably to serve for
minincr purposes of land defence. This is in addition to sea mines, which have also been
forwarded. Numbers of " working battalions” (soldiers as yet untrained) are road con
structing in southern Syria. All above and previous reports m a similar sense show that
there is very considerable activity being directed in a sense hostile to us, and this activity is
beiim worked bv German influence and agents in every conceivable direction. Probably
Government as a whole have little control over these activities, but do not disapprove of them.
As regards actual military preparations, German element has sufficient power to persuade the
authorities on certain points. German press is directing movement, and has obtained despatch
of numbers of German officers to Syria to superintend preparations and training of corps
there for war, concentration of stores and supplies at suitable spots, preparation of lines of
communication and defence of coast.