File 3136/1914 Pt 2 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎70r] (146/504)

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5 2
JCRETARY’S
1.
* Vo 44 , dated
29 OCT 1914
Telegram P., dated Pera, the 19th (received 20 th) October 1914.
From —His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla.
Urgent. I have received the following telegram, dated 18th instant, from
Ilis Majesty’s Consul, Alexandretta:—“This morning the new Governor-
General of Basrah, accompanied by six Naval Officers including two German,
six Army officers mcluding two German officers, and 150 "Turkish sailors
with three ammunition columns, arrived here by rail from Constantinople.
Their final destination, it transpires, is Basrah, at which place they will take
delivery of the German cruiser ‘EmdenR Maan is, I am also informed,
their true destination.”
Addressed to London Foreign Office as No. 1600; repeated to Cairo.
2 .
Telegram P., No. S. 943, dated the 20th October 1914.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
We have received the following telegram, dated 19th instant, from His
Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople. “Urgent. I have » * * * *
destination.” Consul at Mohammerah and Senior Naval Officer should be
informed. Kindly also ask former to keep you posted with any news he may
receive of the “ Emden ”. You should, if possible, communicate this
message to Sir P. Cox.
Telegram P., dated the 19th (received 20th) October 1914.
From — His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla.
The following telegram has been addressed by me to the Foreign Office,
J ondon, and repeated to Cairo:— Begins. Military Attache inclines to the
opinion that the figures of the Germans given in my telegram No. 1007 are
exaggerated and that in any case they must he taken to include some of the
officers now in Syria who probably number about thirty in all with some more
on their way to train troops in Mesopotamia. A good many of these officers are
those of original mission employed round Constantinople up to present, but
there is no doubt that a good many fresh officers have been arriving in small
groups or singly. It is pretty well clear as regards the Naval officers that
Naval parties are on their way both to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Akaba as well as
smaller groups to the coast ports of Syria. In addition to the “ Goeben”
and “Breslau” officers and others who have subsequently arrived, German
reserve marine officers are available in considerable numbers.
It is not impossible that floating mines may be let loose at Akaba
penetrating into the Red Sea; in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in addition to the possibility
of the reception of the “ Emden”, the defence of the water way will no doubt
be prepared.
Military Attache considers it very probable that consignment of mines
has now actually got as far as Maan.
It is reported by the Consul at Damascus that fifty Germans, wounded,
it is presumed, in East Africa, arrived quite recently at Akaba.
The arrival in Constantinople of Austrian officers and sailors is regarded
as also possible, although there is at present no actual confirmation of this.
Ends.
4,
Telegram P., No. S. 944, dated the 20 th October 1914.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
We have received following further telegram, dated 19th instant, from His
Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople. “ It is pretty well clear * * •