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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎40v] (89/672)

The record is made up of 1 volume (332 folios). It was created in 20 Jun 1914-25 Oct 1914. It was written in English. 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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2
snohored on the evening of the 10th September, at a point close to the island
of Shamsumiya at which spot it is thought Turks intend to block the fair way.
I have repeated this message to the Naval Commander-in-Chief.
Telegram P., No. 1351 S.-D., dated (and received) the 12th September 1914.
p rom r ih e Secretary 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,
To—The Secretary, to the Government of India in the foreign and Political Depart-
ment, Simla.
Please refer to Government of India telegram No 717 S., dated the 8th
September 1914i. Per the past three years Pir Sayyid Ibrahim of Baghdad has
been residing in Bombay. He is decidedly frienuly in his attitude towards the
British. He would probably remain strictly neutral in the case of a ruptme
with Turkey and would certainly not do anything which would embarrass the
Government. A detailed report is being submitted to the Government ot
India.
"
Telegram P., dated v and received) the 12th September 1914.
From—The Secretary 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,
<p 0 'phe Secretary to the Government of India in the Forcign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
Please refer to the telegram from the Resident, Aden, dated the 11th
September, on the subject of a possible rupture with Turkey. It is proposed by
the Resident at Aden that, on the outbreak of hostilities, Camaran, the station
now used for placing in quarantine all pilgrims proceeding from India to
Jeddah should be seized by the British. If the adoption of this course of
action is accepted, the Government of India should be ready to open a com
plete quarantine siation at Camaran, because, if this were not done, the Tuiks
would be placed in a position to resist the admission ot pilgrims to Jeddah, thus
evading the condition regarding non-interference with pilgrim traffic whici
is referred to in the telegram from the Government of India, dated the /tli
September 1914. An alternative plan would be to leave Camaran unmolested,
at any rate at the earlier period of hostilities,

Telegram P., No. 1092 (Immediate), 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,
ip 0 qhe Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
I have received a communication from the Senior Naval Officer for
warding Admiralty’s telegram regarding the despatch of “ Odin ”, “ Lawrence ”
and “ Espiegle ”.
Senior Naval Officer is being dissuaded by me from immediate compliance
with the orders from the Admiralty pending further instructions from Your
Lxcellency on arrival of u Lspiegle.
Present attitude of Turks indicates defence rather than attack, and British
vessels are now freelv proceeding to Mohammerah. Situation would be com
pletely altered on outbreak of hostilities and “Lawrence ” and “Odin” would
proceed immediately to Shatt-el-Arab.
Addressed to Naval Commander-in-Chief.
r
"
Telegram P, No. 1094, dated (and received) the 13th 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.
Please refer to the last section of my telegram No. 1078, dated the lOt
instant, following reply was received from Consul“ I was definitely informed
that instructions referred to any vessel ^tke nationality ot merchant or war ship
was not specified) coming from Lao, It is possiule that the instructions may
have been worded caieiessiy, as most Turkish instructions are, hut I was
assured that officer was genuinely puzzled and perplexed.”

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Content

Papers concerning diplomatic tensions between the British and Ottoman Governments at the outset of the First World War, including social unrest and military/naval movements in Baghdad, Basra, and the Shatt al-Arab. The volume’s papers were produced prior to the Ottoman Ruler Sultan Mehmed V’s declaration of war on Britain, France and Russia on 11 November 1914. The papers cover:

  • The activities of Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], former Governor (Wali) of Basra, in June 1914, including his attack on Basra and occupation of Zobeir [Zubayr].
  • Reports of growing anti-British sentiment at Basra and Baghdad, and proposals to evacuate British women and children from the area in the event of war with Ottoman Turkey.
  • Diplomatic exchanges between the British and Ottoman Governments, over the presence of British vessels (in particular HMS Odin ) in the Shatt al-Arab, and in international waters off the coast of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].
  • Interruptions to British steamship services at Basra and Baghdad, particularly those of the Euphrates & Tigris Steam Navigation Company, as a result of Ottoman actions that include the requisitioning of coal at Basra.
  • British officials’ concerns over the status of Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s operations at Abadan, including the reluctance of vessels to travel up to the head of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to Abadan, and the British Government’s assurances that vessels travelling to Abadan and Mohammerah would be covered by War Insurance.
  • British officials’ concerns over rumours that the Ottoman Navy plans to mine the Shatt al-Arab.

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 Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge); 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. (Major Stuart George Knox).

Extent and format
1 volume (332 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 for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 330; 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 front and back covers, along with the leading flyleaf and ending flyleaf, have not been foliated.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎40v] (89/672), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/462, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038229189.0x00005a> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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