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File 3136/1914 Pt 2 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎108r] (222/504)

The record is made up of 1 volume (248 folios). It was created in 1 Oct 1914-8 Dec 1914. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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3
3J.
Telegram P., No. S. 939, dated the 19th 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.
Please refer to my telegram, No. S. 910, of the 15th instant. The
remaining arms for Woolwich are now at Maskat should be despatched to
Bombay as quickly as possible. Prom Bombay they will be forwarded to
Woolwich. In order that arrangements may be made for their receipt at
Bombay please report number of packages, date of despatch, and name of
ship.
Repeated to the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Maskat.
Telegram P., No. 1251, dated (and received) the 19th October 1914.
From—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,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department.
Your telegram No. 877, dated the 9th October. I learn from the Political
Agent at Koweit, that the Sheikh undertakes that the message regarding the
arrival of Captain Shakespear at Bahrein will reach Riadh by the°23rd
instant, 'which should give plenty of time to Bin Saud.
JL3.
Telegram P., No. 1252, dated (and received) the 19th October 1914.
From—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,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
The British Consul at Basrah, in a despatch, dated the 8 th instant, which
he has addressed to the Bombay Government, comments on a case of desertion
by Moslems, who were stokers on Strick’s 8 . 8 . “ Seistan ”. These offenders
were given protection by the Turkish authorities at Basrah and only resumed
work on receiving peremptory orders from Constantinople. The Consul
suggests that British vessels, which have Moslem crews, should not be
encouraged to visit Basrah at the present time. It may be impossible to
take action immediately in accordance with the Consul’s suggestion, with
which I concur generally, but early warning to British Steamship Companies is
desirable.
The despatch in question was sent by last mail, and ought to reach the
Bombay Government on ttie 25th instant.
Repeated to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , Political Department.
No. Cf. 285, dated Bushire, the 3rd (received 19th) October 1914 (Confidential).
From— Major S. G. Knox, C.I.E., Officiating 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. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department.
I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of
India, a translation of an Arabic pamphlet which is believed to have emanated
from Basrah and is now being distributed in Muhammerah.
Translation from Arabic.
(Seal with the following inscription :—)
“He (God) has the right cause. Committee for endeavouring to unite
the adherents of the Qoran.”
I take refuge in God from the cursed Satan. In the name of God the
merciful, the compassionate.

About this item

Content

Papers concerning events in Mesopotamia and in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , leading up to and immediately after the outbreak of war between Great Britain and Turkey. The file is a chronological continuation of File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. & Persian Gulf’ (IOR/L/PS/10/462). Subjects covered include:

  • Concerns amongst British officials that Turkey will lay mines in the Shatt al-Arab.
  • Reports of the spreading of anti-British and pro-German propaganda by Turkish officials, including an undated manifesto (translated into English from Arabic) issued by an organisation called the Moslem Committee of Learned Men (ff 139-143).
  • British intelligence on the movements, actions and correspondence exchanged between the region’s most prominent rulers and key figures, including the former Governor (Wali) of Basra, Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], the Emir of Najd and Al-Aḥsā, Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the Turkish Minister of War, Ismail Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
  • Reports on public opinion amongst the Arab populations of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and proposed British propaganda measures, including plans to distribute copies of the Illustrated War News to the various rulers in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (ff 199-203).
  • The breaking-off of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Turkey on 30 October 1914.
  • Reports, submitted by Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox, Chief Political Officer of Indian Expeditionary Force D (IEFD), on the progress of IEFD at Basra, including reports of military action at Fao [Al-Fāw], (f 56, f 65, ff 67-68, ff 116-120, f 123).
  • The death of Captain Richard Lockington Birdwood, Assistant Political Officer to Cox, at Basra, on 17 November 1914 (ff 90-91).
  • Reports of anti-British propaganda and activities at Erzeroum [Erzurum], as reported by the city’s British Consul (ff 84-89, ff 103-104).
  • Proposals, including those set out in a letter written by Captain Arnold Talbot Wilson of the Indian Political Department, to the British Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr], dated 28 November 1914 (ff 14-17) for Mesopotamia to become an Indian colony after the war.

The file’s principal correspondents include: the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. (John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Edmund George Barrow; Arthur Hirtzel); the Foreign Office (Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe; Louis du Pan Mallet); the Chief Political Officer of IEFD (Percy Zachariah Cox).

The file includes a small number of copies of diplomatic exchanges between the British, Ottoman and Persian Governments ( notes verbale ), which are written in French.

Extent and format
1 volume (248 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The subject 3136 (German War) consists of 6 volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/462-467. The volumes are divided into 6 parts, with each part comprising one volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 248; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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File 3136/1914 Pt 2 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎108r] (222/504), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/463, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100036675433.0x000017> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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