'File 53/1915 Pt 2 German War: Turkey; the Caliphate and Pan-Arab movement' [‎37v] (79/444)

Enclosure 1 to Serial No, 19,
Telegram P., No. 129-222—1., dated the 25th October 1915.
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “D," Knt,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Eollowing addressed to Chief General Staff and repeated Secretary of State,
12th Division, and Inspector General of Communications,
No change in situation.
Enclosure 2 to Serial No. 19.
Telegram No. S.-25374, dated the 26th October 1915.
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Kut-al-Amarah.
With regard to procedure of addressing political telegrams, Government of
India have ruled that all political telegrams, other than those of merely routine
nature, which bear on matters coming within area of military operations should
he addressed to you, and this will be done in future.
In cases where 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. repeat to Cox their telegrams addressed to
Government of India, he has been instructed to arrange for their immediate
communication to you. You will of course hear in mind the great importance
of ensuring that copies of all political telegrams received by you are sent to Cox
direct without delay, and of receiving his advice before any action is taken.
20
Telegram P., No. 5-D. S., dated the 3rd November 1915.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D/ } Basrah.
Please refer to my telegram No. 107C-S., dated the 2Ith October. On the
27th October Secretary of State for India telegraphed as follows :—“ It is
desired by His Majesty’s ******
****** and Moslem religion. ”
The draft of the proclamation it is proposed to issue is as follows :—“ The
Turkish ai^lSes have been driven from the field and the British flag flies over
Baghdad. This occupation has resulted from the intrigues of Germany by
whom Turkey was induced without just cause to draw the sword against Great
Britain. Great Britain has retaliated by invading the soil of Turkey in order
to break up a centre of German intrigue and to hasten the day of peace.
“ The present campaign in Mesopotamia is however directed solely against
the Turkish Government and the Turkish army. Towards the Arab population
the British nourish feelings of warm friendship and goodwill, and they enter
tain a deep sympathy with the aspirations of the Arabs to detach themselves
from Turkish dominion, to found an Arab State under independent Arab rule
under which the Arab race will renew its past glories and will rise again as a
great and prosperous nation, controlling Arabia. The Arabs may confidently
rely on the benevolent assistance of Great Britain in order that this object may
be achieved. With the help of Great Britain the foundations of this great
Arab State shall be laid down and the natural aspirations of the Arab race will
thus at length be realised.
“ Muhammadans 1 Our name as a sure friend of your religion is
too firmly established for lying tongues to injure it. The sympathy which
Great Britain extends to Muhammadans is known to all the world. Thus
though at war with Turkey, Great Britain has allowed thousands of Mu
hammadan pilgrims from India and from British possessions in the Ear
East to visit Mecca for the pilgrimage, and though the port of Jeddah
was under the Turkish flag she has despatched ships full of grain
and supplies in order that the innocent residents of the Holy Places