"أوراق متعلقة بلجنة بلاد الرافدين من غرفة السير إ. بارو" [و‎‎١‎٣‎٨] (١٣٨٦/٢٧٩)

(16)
Sk4? t
Ju /xi iz.' Vn*
Uo 47 G dy/
2Cth Uov.
No45 dy/20th5[oY.
Ho 47B dy/21st
Hovr.
The Senior Haval Officer brought down with him a num
ber of wounded prisoners and fifty cattle and further
ordered H.K. S. "lalhousie” from Bushire to ¥ 0 . 0 ^
In reply to the Secretary of State T s telegram of the
16th Hovr (Ho 1375) Sir A. -Barrett sated that he was
anxious to move on, atb any rate to Belzaniyeh oppo
site Shumsuniya Island ($ust above Dabba Island where
the enemy were in the position shelled by T, Espiegle M
on the 20th Hovr) but that as the Haval authorities
had not been able to get very near and the facts were
still obscure the question of an advance on Basra
must be held in abeyance until matters had futther
developed. The G.O.C reported that he was labouring
under considerable difficulties in regard to landing
troops and supplies. He had still one Field Battery
afloat, whifih he proposed to send back for disembarka
tion opposite Abadan, and three deep sea ships,con
taining Transport and Supplies, outside the Bar at
the mouth of the river. The few mules with him obliged
him to rely on river transport and the attitude of
the Arabs was doubtful, for though the villagers
seemed iriendly by day the Camp was fired into every
night.
The situation was, however, apparently clearing for
Sir F.Cox reported on the
men and a deputation from Basra had arrived at Muham-
merah with news that all British prisoners'in Basra
were safe and that the Valis of Basra and Baghdad with
the remnant of Turkish troops had fled up the Tigris.
The G.O.C also, on the 21st, W’i# ascertained by recon
naissance that the enemy had abandoned their position
, 'U?
at Shumsuniya and itoiiHiln considered that it was possible
and desirable to advance on Basra to restore order.
S}ui?
Ju /xi 3 3.' Vn*
Ho 47 G dy/
20th Hov.
Ho45 dy/20thHov.
Ho 473 dy/21st
Hovr.