"بلاد الرافدين. اللجنة" [و‎‎١‎٠‎٠] (٢٥٦/٢٠٢)

• >
*)
.Major Brown low
ihe Turkish flag and administration, and very well received by inhabitants
appointed Military Governor.
,,, 'w.* 1 T, mere1,a,lts < ‘ stiniate -h^OO wounded came in after action of 17th instant When
I urks left Basra Arab soldiers recently mobilised were left behind, and many exchanged their
arms and uniforms for civil clothing before going home. They are reported' much dissatisfied
with their treatment by Turks recently.
Much indebted to Royal Navy, both for their important share in operations and also
tor prompt and hearty assistance always givon us.
PART II.
OCCUPATION OF BASRA TO BATTLE OF BARJISIYEH.
No.^9»
Vicrroy to Secretary of Stair for India, dated 'loth November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. I have received the following private telegram from Cox at Basra:
Private. Dated 2drd November.
" General Officer Commanding and I are studying the topographical details bearing on
the question of advance to Bagdad in case that course be decided on.
W dl ^ our Excellency kindly consider the problem. It would be convenient if we could
learn the intentions of Government in this connection as soon as possible in order that
thorough proposals may be submitted without delay.
the local outlook is as follows. According to general reports Turkish troops recently
engaged with us were completely panic-stricken and very unlikely to oppose us again. Arab
element in Bagdad is already friendly, and notables here volunteer opinion that we should be
received m Bagdad with the same cordiality as we have been here, and that the Turkish
troops would offer little if any opposition.
‘ l There remains the tribes between here and Bagdad. From among this element the
well-known Muntafik Sheikh Ajaimi, who was ostensibly co-opemting with the Turkish troops
has just sent in an emissary to convey his submission (?) and intimate his wish to come in
and hand over 4,000 rifles received or seized by him from the Turks, and it is hoped that
the neutrality if not the active co-operation of the tribes can be secured by judicious
diplomacy. J J
“ Effect of the recent defeat has been very great, and if advance is made before it
wears off and while cool season lasts Bagdad will in all probabilitv fall into our hands verv
easily.
“ Alter earnest consideration of the arguments for and against I find it difficult to see
how we can well avoid taking over Bagdad. We can hardly allow Turks (?) to retain
possession and make difficulties for us at Basra ;f ini* ■im ntrim Bn _r trj i._b ..
^SnTit once in occupation we must remain, foi^ve could not possibly allow the Turks to
return after accepting from Arabs co-operation afforded on the understanding that the
Turkish regime had disappeared for good.
“ Moreover can we disregard consideration that there are some thirty British subjects
detained there whom we need release ? ”
Before giving you my views 1 am consulting the Commander-in-Chief and will
formulate them as soon as 1 know how far the proposal is feasible from a militarv point
of view. * 1
- Nu.V
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 11 th November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Your private telegram of 25th, repeating telegram from Cox. dated 23rd November.
We are not disposed to authorise an advance to Bagdad at present
nit imjii*' nifwl i iT*iih''i7ii |) but as soon as General Barrett is ready to do so, we
sanction an advance to Kurna with a Brigade or such portion of his force as may be necessary
for the operation. Presumably he will await the arrival of his third Brigade for Basra and
the whole region from Kurna to the sea will have*to be controlled by us in both a military
and political sense, and on such considerations it will probably be desirable to keep the bulk
of the Division at Basra, which should for the present be regarded as the headquarters
No.'S*.
Sir P. ( o.i' to Secretary of State for India, dated 2Sth November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
We have been well received by the civil population of Basra, and the mercantile com
munity is separately fully prepared to accept the protection of Great Britain. By proclamation
too, we have made it known that there is no quarrel between ns and the friendlv resident
population. In my judgment it would in the circumstances be wise for us to refrain from
treating as enemy cargo the consignments of merchants of Basra that are now on the high
seas I should be glad to know if 1 am authorised to give a reassuring replv to inquiries
on the subject. < 1
No. 65.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for/India, dated IHth November 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. Bagdad. Your telegram of 27/h November Tin
considerations involved fill me with a/prehension. for it
words “grave international
would be disastrous were