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File 3136/1914 Pt 1 ‘German War. Situation in Turkish Arabia & Persian Gulf’ [‎165r] (338/672)

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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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. at Bushire telegraphed to the Government of India
on the 16th instant that the Oil Company’s settlement at Abadan was nervous
of being attacked by the Turks, and asked for the protection of a British
warship. It appeared possible that, in view of the expected outbreak of
hostilities with Turkey, the Turkish gunboat might suddenly proceed Abadan
and shell the oil reservoirs there.
As we regarded the situation as requiring precautionary measures, we were
about to send either the R.I.M.S. “Lawrence” or H.M.S. “Odin” with
100 sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. from the garrison at Bushire for the protection of the oil settlement.
Having regard, however, to the acute anti-British attitude of the Turks in the
Shatt-el-Arab, the local officers are of opinion that the despatch of a gunboat
will be attended with some risk, and the despatch of sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. with great risk, of
precipitating a collision with the Turks.
The matter, meanwhile, is giving a less urgent aspect in view of the
slightly improved attitude of the Porte as reported to me yesterday and affords
an opportunity for a reference to be made to you before action is taken by us.
The suggestion that the location of British sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. at Abadan may irritate
the Turks and will be a matter of some inconvenience to the Sheikh of Moham-
merah is, no doubt, not without force. In any case we would be disposed to
send only as many men as H.M.S. “ Odin” could accommodate and keep them
on board; but the comparative importance of the possible damage which may
be done to numerous oil reservoirs and the alternative danger of precipitating a
collision with the Turks by the adoption of the above measures for the preserv
ation of the tanks is a question which we leave to the consideration of His
Majesty’s Government. Our own feeling is that it is of the highest importance
that in the event of war hostile action should be first taken by Turkey even if
this step were to entail on us some military disadvantage or loss. It is requested
that immediate instructions may be sent to us. There are only^ two Govern
ment vessels now in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , viz , the “ Lawrence ”, which will reach
Bushire on Friday and the “ Odin,” which will arrive there on Saturday;
both from the south.
Telegram P., dated the 20th (received 21st) August 1914.
Prom—His Britannic Majesty’s Consul, Kermanshah,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
* Vide Baghdad telegram, dated the 11th August Acting ConSUi-General, Baghdad,
1914 . ^Serial iNo. i.) reports as follows:— Begins. * *
* * Ends.

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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’ [‎165r] (338/672), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/462, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038229191.0x00008b> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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