"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية. الحملة في بلاد الرافدين ١٩١٤-١٩١٨. مجلد I" [ظ‎‎٦‎٥] (٤٥٤/١٣٥)

110 HISTORY OF THE WAR: MESOPOTAMIA
strengthened in this decision by the heavy rain which fell on
the 12th and 13th and which rendered the ground so heavy
and muddy as practically to preclude any military movements^
The force had thus an early illustration of one of the difficulties
of campaigning in Mesopotamia.
On the 13th, transports were reported to have arrived at the
bar and a request for news was received from Lieutenant-
General Sir A. A. Barrett, commanding the 6th Division, who
arrived himself in camp next day and assumed command of
the operations.
In the meantime, the following statement had been published
in London by the Foreign Office, on 1st November:—
“At the beginning of the war the British Government
gave definite assurances that if Turkey remained neutral
her independence and integrity would be respected during
the war and in the terms of peace. In this France and
Russia concurred.
“ The British Government have since then endeavoured
with the greatest patience and forbearance to preserve
friendly relations, in spite of increasing breaches of neu
trality on the part of the Turkish Government at
Constantinople in the case of the German vessels in the
Straits.
“ On Thursday, 29th October 1914, the British Govern
ment learnt with the utmost regret that Turkish ships of
war had without any declaration of war, without warning
and without provocation of any sort, made wanton attack
on open undefended towns in the Black Sea of a friendly
country, thus committing an unprecedented violation of
the most ordinary rules of international law, comity and
usage.
“ Ever since the German men-of-war Goeben and Breslau
took refuge at Constantinople the attitude of the Turkish
Government towards Great Britain has caused surprise
and some uneasiness. Promises made by the Turkish
Government to send away the German officers and crews
of the Goeben and Breslau have never been fulfilled. It
was well known that the Turkish Minister for War was
decidedly pro-German in his sympathies, but it was con
fidently hoped that the saner counsels of his colleagues,
who had had experience of the firm friendship which Great
Britain has always shown towards the Turkish Government,
would have prevailed and prevented that Government from