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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎45v] (99/672)

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
(>/ .
No. 1168 W., dated Bombay Castle, the 16th 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,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
I am directed to forward, for the information of the Government of India,
extract paragraph 10 of a report from the Commissioner of Police, Bombay,
S. B. No. 3427—M. 168, dated the 16th September 1914.
Enclosure.
Extract paragraph 10 of a report from the Commiseioner of Police, Bombay, S B. No. 3427—
M. 158, dated the 15th September 1914.
• * • * * • *
It is reported that news has reached one Ahdulla Jahir Effendi to the
effect that the Turks are concentrating troops at three towns on the sea named
Gattir Hassa and Qatar. Also that two German steamers stopped off a
village near Aden and sent a party ashore to enquire where drinking water
could be obtained. On being told that water could not be found in the
neigubourhood, the steamers left.
* * V.._ *
Telegram P., No. S. 781, dated the 19th September 1914.
From—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla,
To—His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador, Constantinople.
Call of British merchantmen at Basrah. Reference your telegram of 14th
instant repeated to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
British India Steam Navigation Company informed us on being asked
why their ships have not resumed call at Basrah that reason is merely that,
owing to urgent employment of some of their usual Gulf cargo steamers else
where, extra Gulf ports have had to be served by their weekly fast mail
steamers, and consequently, in order to reach Bombay at scheduled mail time,
vessels have been obliged to turn round from Mohammerah. For date crop
Company’s fast mail steamers will resume weekly call at Basrah as soon as
possible and they are now sending large cargo steamer to Basrah.
Repeated to Resident, Bushire, with reference to his telegram No. 1099,
of 14th September and to the Secretary of State for India.
^Tr -1
Telegram, No. 1120, dated (and received) the 20th 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, Foreign and Political Department, Simla.
Please refer to my telegram No. 9. The “ Seistan ” sailed for Moham
merah last evening.
Addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and repeated to
the Government of India with reference to my telegram of the 18th instant,
bearing No. 1114.
Telegram P., dated the 20th (received 21st) September 1914.
From —His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy, Simla.
I have received following telegram, dated 19th instant, No. 28, from His
Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad “ I was informed by Vali, who special
ly asked to see me to-day, that as Vali and (resident of ?) Basrah, he
desires to add his protest to that of Vali of Basrah against H.M.S. “ Odin ”
entering Turkish waters. I told him that I would telegraph his opinion to
Your Excellency as it was beyond my power to discuss this question. Vali,
who appeared very friendly, further stated that it might be, much as he
regretted it, impossible for him to control public safety when news became
generally knowm here. So far Vali has prevented any hostile demonstrations
in regard to (capitulation ?) and has maintained excellent order. May an
explanatory answer be given him ? ”
4,ddyessed London Eoreign office; repeated to Government of India*

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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’ [‎45v] (99/672), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/462, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038229189.0x000064> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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