'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎74v] (151/256)

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No. 108,
Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department, dated \tJi March 11*15.
(Telegraphic).
Your telegram of 3rd March together with Barretts telegram of 4th instant legaltlnig
affair near Ahwaz lias been fully considered to-day by the Cabinet, who have decided that as
you find a difficulty in forming a normal mixed Brigade, you should despatch as soon as
possible a Brigade of Territorials. The numerical deficiency thus caused in India will be
replaced as soon as possible either from Egypt or East Africa, in accordance with the military
situation. I hope the Dardanelles operations will shortly relieve the political tension, and
enable us to give greater consideration to India.
No. 109,
Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated btk March 1915.J
(Telegraphic).
In modification of my telegram of yesterday. Further consideration of situation in
Mesopotamia makes me believe it would be wiser to send mixed force composed of suitable
units from India at once rather than four territorial battalions as His Majesty’s Government
originally desired ; this both on general grounds and owing to approach of hot weather in
Mesopotamia. Secretary of State for War has pressed Commander-in-Chief in Egypt to
return you at any rate a brigade if he can regard Suez Canal as secured agrainst present
attack, but in any case you and Commander-in-Chief must understand that His Majesty's
Government definitely order the strengthening of General Barrett's force at once, and that
you are both entirely relieved of responsibility for consequences of further reduction of Indian
internal defences for this purpose.
No. 110,
General Barrett to Secretary of State for India, dated 6th March 1915.
(Telegraphic).
5th March. Further reports from Ahwaz confirm estimate that enemy lost 200 to 300
killed, including brother of Sheikh of Beni-Turuf and 10 or 12 Sheikhs and brother of
Ghazban wounded. All quiet at Ahwaz, all cavalry patrols unmolested to-day. Enemy
appear to have abandoned offensive and to be making preparations for defence. Ahwaz
reinforcements arrived, so force now consists of | battalion British Infantry and 24 battalions
Indian Infantry, 4 guns Royal Field Artillery, 2 mountain guns. The one Royal Field
Artillery gun lost and one gun of mountain battery disabled have been replaced from
Ordnance I)ep 6 t. All quiet elsewere.
No, 111.
Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 10th March 1915.
(Telegraphic).
Reference my telegram of 5th March. War Office have now agreed to despatch one
Brigade Indian troops direct from Egypt to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and have selected 30th Infantry
Brigade for this duty. Transport is being arranged and Brigade will probably sail early next
week. The force will still be weak in Artillery, Pioneers, and Sappers. Please consider
whether you cannot complete some of these deficiencies. I have no desire to press you unduly
and you are the best judge of what India can safely spare.
No, 112,
Chief of General Staff, India, to War Office, dated 16th March 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
The following is a summary of recent telegrams from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. with regard to
German plans:—
“ Two Germans, one of whom is Wassmuss, formerly the German Consul at Baghdad and
Bushire, on 16th February reached Shustar from Baghdad. They were reported to be
endeavouring to stir up the people of Arabistan to join in an Holy War against the British.
As they continued on their way towards Shiraz, via Ramnz and Behan, they endeavoured to
stir up the tribes against us. Wassmuss’s companion and his (Wassmuss) effects fell into our
hand, but he himself escaped, and is now reportad to be at Kazerun, which is midway between
Bushire and Shiraz. He is endeavouring, with the assistance of the Persian Gendarmerie
and local Mullahs, to bring about an attack on Bushire. It is clearly indicated by an
examination of Wassmuss’s papers that part of the German-Asiatic plan of campaign was to
raise Afghanistan and Persia against us. Included in Wassmuss’s papers were many
pamphlets in various Indian dialects, which were intended to corrupt our Indian Army.
“ r|,he information which we have thus summarised strengthens the suspicion which we
have had for some time, that the Turko-German movement eastward through Mesopotamia
had India for its ultimate objective.” ' ^