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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎139v] (287/672)

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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4
24*
Telegram P., No. S. 675, dated the 31st August 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.
The question of the feasibility of withdrawing restrictive warning is being
referred by the Government of India to the Secretary of State, for considera
tion. This is with reference to your telegrams No. 1 M. and No. 1039.
ay
Telegram P., No. 739 W., dated (and received) the 31st August 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, Simla.
As the date crop is now ready to be shipped, the Commissioner, Sind, asks
if sailing vessels should continue to avoid Turkish waters. I have replied that
this precatition is unnecessary for the lime being in the case of sailing ships.
Telegram P., No. 1049, dated the 31st August (received 1st 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 (repeated to Naval Commander-in-Chief).
Consuls have again been warned by His Britannic Majesty’s Minister,
Constantinople, of the critical attitude of Turkey in regard to the war, he has
at the same time advised them not to discourage the gradual sending away
of women and children on the condition that this does not amount to panic.
I have received a telegram from His Majesty’s Consul at Basrah to the effect
that many Turkish troops are to be stationed on the road to Kowaitis and
Koweit. Residents of the town of Basrah are openly talking against England
and are circulating the report that Quetta has been seized by the Afghans
and that the Moslems of India have revolted.
4/.
No. 722 W., dated Bombay, the 29th August 1914.
From—Ij* Robertson; Esq., 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. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
In continuation of my letter No.-629 W., dated the 27th August 1914,
regarding pilgrim ships and with reference to your telegram No. £45 S., dated
the 27th August 1914, I am directed to forward herewith, a copy of a letter,
dated the 27th August 1914, from the Managing Agents of the Bombay and
Persia Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., and the Arab Steamers Limited.
Dated Bombay, the 27th Apgust 1914 (Confidential).
From— Messrs. Turner Mortson & Co., Ltd., Managing Agents of the Bombay
and Persia S. N. Co., Ltd., and Arab Steamers Limited.
To—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.
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your telephone message of
this date from which we note that if we are willing to let our steamers proceed
to Jeddah, there is no objection to their doing so.
In a previous communication, we have pointed out to you the very heavy
losses we have incurred and are incurring by the delay, and we have also
referred to the trouble we are experiencing with pilgrims owing to the voyage
to Jeddah being held up. In the case of one steamer at any rate, a mutiny
has taken place and we fear considerable further trouble might arise in the
event of further detention. On this account we have, as a matter of urgency,
cabled to our steamers to proceed on their voyages, but we must earnestly

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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.

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English in Latin script
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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎139v] (287/672), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/462, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038229191.0x000058> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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