ملف ٣١٣٦\١٩١٤ الجزء ١ "الحرب الألمانية. الوضع في مناطق شبه الجزيرة العربية الخاضعة للحكم العثماني والخليج الفارسي" [و‎‎١‎٦‎٦] (٦٧٢/٣٤٠)

tribesmen may bold up tbe Abwaz-Tspaban road, but I am informed that they
ure of no use for rendering help, nor are they a source of great danger for
that matter. Personally I anticipate that there -will be ^ troubles in Central
Persia but not at present nor until such time as financial scarcity occurs in
^ Tehran and impossibility of sending help to the provinces has time to make
itself felt. In regard to measures other than those of a political character,
the answer depends on whether any forces besides those at present moment
stationed in Gulf can be despatched here and placed at our disposal.
In my telegram to the Naval Commander-in-Chief I have indicated
immediate plans which I consider advisable, but H.M.S. “Odin” cannot be
at Eao and Pailiyah at the same time. I learn now that R.IM.S. “ Lawrence ”
is quite capable of engaging Turkish gunboat “ Marmaris” and in that event
she might take on the Failiyah duty leaving “Odin” at liberty to safeguard
Fao and render help to “Lawrence” if this necessity appears. But the
important blow to Turkish reputation would be the capture of Basrah. Can
the Government of India spnre us the requii^ed force for this object ? Preli
minary plan f< r attack on Basrah would be the recall of all Europeans from
Basrah and Baghdad and I am of opinion that withdrawal from Baghdad
should take place without delay. The seiiure of Basrah would be the
sign for a general insurrection along the river Tigris and also for an attack
on Baghdad and for the probable capture by the Kurds of Aleppo and the
demolition of Baghdad Railway. This in addition to diversions created by
Eg\pt in Syria and the Hedjaz would certainly have a demoralising effect on
mobilisation by Turkey and would wreck her Empire.
following is the text of a general circular letter which I would suggest
should be addressed to influential Persian Gulf Chiefs in the event of the out
break of hostilities i—Begins. After usual compliments—The Government
of Turkey has, by a number of acts directed against peaceful traders, subjects
of the British Government, involved herself in war with England, France and
Russia It has since Crimea war, when Great Britain and France voluntarily
onoage’d in war to maintain integrity of Turkish Empire, been one of the
principle objects of English Government to preserve inviolate the Empire of
Turkey. Now present rulers of Turkey have by their spontaneous action in
foolishly joining in a war waged between German nation and certain other
nations paved the way for their own downfall and it seems impossible to hope
that Turkish Empire can any longer be preserved. It is therefore incumbent
on the independent peoples of Arabia to consider their position towards
oppressor of Moslems who styles himself their protector. As regards the
attitude of those Sheikhs whose territories are situated near to Turkey and who
have seen and experienced instances of oppression at her hands, there is no
reason for doubt whatever. These Sheikhs have for a long time been in
opposition to Turkey and have been attempting to obiain their emancipation.
Some have actually effected this and the others are now in open state of insurrec
tion against the Turkish Government. The Sheikhs of the Persian Gulf are
veil aware that His Majesty’s Government have never interfered with religious
observances of Moslems nor shown hostile attitude to them but has without
-exception always worked for the preservation of good order and peace every
where and for amicable dealings with all her neighbours. Opportunities have
frequentlv occurred for the acquisition of territory and temptation of this kind
has always been resisted. Your relations with His Majesty’s Government have
subsisted for many years past and I take this opportunity to impress on you
that in this war we shall do our best to preserve to you, your religion and
liberty. Nothing shall be done on our side to threaten either of these which
are dearer to all people than life itself. Unfortunately German arrogance and
Turkish folly have involved whole of Europe in scarcity and trouble. All that
is necessary to be done by you is that you will maintain order and discipline
in your respective dominions. Ho not permit foolish people amongst your
subjects, who cannot realise how long by the beneficent protection of His
Majesty’s Government they have been saved from the hand of the tyrant, to
L co jmit any act to disturb the peace in your dominions or to injure interests
of British Government. In this manner, with the exercise of a little patience,
you will come forth unharmed from trouble that now envelopes all of us,