File 3516/1914 Pt 9 'German War: Persia' [‎159r] (322/618)

CONFIDENTIAL.
fi M. Press, Simto—No. 0-286 (w) V. D.-23-8-15.-6.-
-B.A
Telegram P., No. S.-13412, dated the 28th June 1915.
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding Force “ D, ” Basrah.
It is the wish of the Commander-in-Chief with the assent of the Government
of India, that you should, in future, subject to the advice of Sir P. Cox, accept
responsibility for the defence of Bushire, so that in the event of the situation there
becoming serious, there shall be no delay.
Our aim is solely to protect Bushire ; therefore you should clearly understand
that no action outside Bushire should be taken without the permission of the
Government of India.
His Majesty’s Government want to avoid taking any unnecessary military
action that might serve as an excuse to the Persian Government to give up her
neutral attitude, and to prevent being drawn into any diversion in Persia. Cox
should be informed accordingly.
This refers to your 317-1-0, dated June 21st.
Telegram P„ No. S.-13460, dated the 28th June 1915.
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To —Lteuten ant-Colonel Lane, 96th Infantry, Bushire.
The following message has been sent to Colonel Lane, 96th Infantry at Bushire,
and is repeated to the General Officer Commanding Force “ D,” and to Colonel
Woolridge, 126th Baluchis, Maskat; it will also be communicated to the Naval
Commander-in-Chief and Sir Percy Cox.
Below is given a telegram which we have despatched to General Nixon, m
command of “ D ” force. Begins. It is the wish of the Commander-in-Chief,
with the assent of the Government of India, that you should, in future, subject to
the advice of Sir P. Cox, accept responsibility for the defence of Bushire, so that m
the event of the situation there becoming serious, there shall be no delay.
Our aim is solely to protect Bushire; therefore you should clearly under
stand that no action outside Bushire should be taken without the permission of the
Government of Ind'a.
His Majesty’s Government want to avoid taking any unnecessary military
action that might serve as an excuse to the Persian Government to give up her
neutral attitude, and to prevent be.ng drawn into any diversion m Pe sia. Cox
should be informed accordingly. This refer to your 317-1-0, dated June 21st.
The orders, which are conveyed by the telegram giyen above result, in the
garrison of Bushire forming, from now onwards, a part of D tore .
Woolridae of the 126th Baluchis will therefore devolve the command of all the
forces inthe Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the Gulf of Oman, with the exception oUhoseat
Bushire. He is senior officer at Maskat and his designation from now onwards
be Officer Commanding Troops in the Gulf of Oman.
You should, therefore, please make arrangements that aH document and
records, which have to do with that part of e com Woolridae
you have exercised up to date, should be given over to Colonel Woolndg .