File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎40r] (88/672)

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V.
No. H. 810, dated (and received) Simla, the 12th September 1914 (Secret).
Endorsed by Marine Department.
A copy of the undermentioned paper is forwarded to the Foreign and
Political Department.
Telegram from His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, No. 84, dated the 11th
September 1914?.
Telegram from His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, No. 85, dated the 11th
September 1914).
Enclosure No. 1.
Telegram P., No. 84, dated the 11th (received 12th) September 1914.
From—His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, East Indies, “Swiftsure”,
Bombay,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.
I have telegraphed to the Senior Naval Officer, Bombay, as follows :—‘
Begins. The B. I. M. S. “ Dalhousie ” is to proceed to Maskat to relieve the
“Lawrence” as soon as ready for sea and gunnery trial has proved satisfactory ;
on arrival the Commanding Officer will place himself under the orders of the
Senior Naval Officer in tne Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . End of message.
Enclosure No. II.
Telegram P., No. 85, dated the 11th (received 12th) September 1914.
From—His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, East Indies,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.
The Admiralty have telegraphed to me as follows -.—Begins. “ Espiegle ”,
“ Odin ” and “ Lawrence ” are to proceed to Shatt-el-Arab to patrol from
Mohammerah to the sea to prevent any interference with navigation by the
Turks. In the event of war being declared against Turkey they are to stop Turks
from attacking Refinery at Abaaan in Persian territory. If forced to abandon
the place, the British and Indian population should be removed, if possible.
Belore being abandoned tbe instruments should be removed. Steamers coming
in for dates should be protected as much as possible. Sheikh of Mohammerah to
be encouraged to assist in this. It is reported that 2,000 Turkish soldiers have
assembled at Basrah and reinforcements are being sent from Baghdad. Ends.
This telegram was repeated by Admiralty 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, and the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
As already arranged, I intend to send the “ Dalhousie ” in addition to the
ships referred to above.
35“
Telegram P., No. 746 S., dated the 12th September 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.
Coal on S.S. “ Seistan Please refer to Marine Department telegram
of the 8 th instant, No. H. 731. It is, nevertheless, if it can be avoided, undesir
able that consignment should reach Turkish ports. In case it may be possible
for the Shipping Agents to dispose of the coal elsewhere please consult them
on the point confidentially.
Telegram P., No. 1089, dated (and received) the 12th September 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, Simla.
A German tug towing a derelict accompanied by a vessel which is believed
to be the “ John O’Scott ” and a Turkish gun-boat carrying the German Consul