File 94/1915 Pt 5 ‘German War – Turkey; Turkish & Arab prisoners in India – Sayyid Talib, &c.’ [‎212v] (433/454)

Telegram P., No. 1131, dated (and received) the 23rd 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, Simla (repeated to Naval Commander-in-Chief).
Enquiry has been made by His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Moham-
merah whether there is any objection to the “ Amatonga ” going to Basrah, as
the owners have wired to iiis Britannic Majesty’s Consul at the latter place
stating that on the 15th instant the British Embassy at Constantinople recom
mended to the Foreign Office the resumption of steamer services. The follow
ing reply has been despatched by me to the Consul at Mohammerah :— Begins.
Please refer to your telegram No. 121, dated the 19th September. If both
you and the Consul at Basrah are of opinion that the local situation permits of
British vessels going to Basrah, 1 see no objection to their doing so, but 1 think
that you should take care to make it clear that you do not accept any respons
ibility. I am not officially aware whether the Government insurance war
scheme applies to vessels proceeding to Basrah though it does apply to ships
hound for Mohammerah and the Shatt-el-Arab. Please intimate to me by
telegraph uhat conclusion you come to in order that I may convey the
necessary warning to Ship Agents at Bushire. I would ask that the Senior
Naval Officer may he informed of the decision. Buds.
Telegram P., No. 224, dated (and received) the 24th September 1914.
From—The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Maskat,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart -
ment, Simla. •
Intercepted telegram for Sultan. Reference my telegram No. 217 of
the 1/th September. In an interview with Sultan, I*found it unnecessary to
communicate to him last portion of your telegram 765 of the 16th September.
His Highrej'S frankly explained the position and I am glad to report that
there is no reason to suspect His Highness of any intrigue or unfriendliness to
the British Government His Highness stares as follows:—
"When visiting Baghdad four years ago he stayed with a Turkish doctor
from Constantinople, named Fuad Bey (the sender of telegram referred to in
^our telegram 69b), and his family. Latter consisted of a daughter and Ismail
Bey his son now in Sultan’s service at Maskat. Sultan formed a great
friendship with the son and subsequently made proposals with a view to
marrying the daughter. His Highness has kept up correspondence with the
family e\er since their return to Constantinople, mainly in connection with
his matrimonial proposal. His Highness invited Ismail to Maskat after the
death of the late Sultan and through him has continued to press his suit.
^ ^ saving been received, the message quoted in vour telegram of the
16th September was sent by Ismail in French. Sultan naturally was un
willing to allow his intentions to become public owing to an uncertainty as to
the acceptance of his proposal. Personally, 1. feel convinced that in neither
of the intercepted telegrams is there any disguised signification. His Highness
went so far as to show me photographs of the lady taken in Constantinople
and correspondence signed by Fuad rtcy in proof of the sincerity of his
explanation. . His Highness asked me to assure Government there was no
bidden meaning underlying the telegram and that he would never be guiltv of
any such underhand conduct. He asks that the original of Fuad Bey’s tele
gram may he forwarded to him. 1 recommend this request for favourable
treatment by Government.