'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎146r] (295/1386)

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and 36th (Kurds) Divisions of a total strength of about
^ 19,000 Infantry, 1-J- Regiments of Cavalry,2 Sections of
Engineers and 48 guns.
from 7/.0,2627
dy/ 1st Jany. It was variously estimated by the 7/ar Office and India
From C in C,India,
83 s,dy/2nd Jan. that it would take from 38 to 56 days to move these
G.C.S to -7.0,
dy/ 31st Dec.
troops from Aleppo to Baghdad.
Further information from Basra was to the effect that
Djavid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. contemplated an attack on Kurna from
G,Gr,S,India to 7/.0,
Jo 111 dy/5th Jan. Azair (? El 0zeir,30 miles from Kurna).The strength of his
troops was estimated at possibly 7000 men with 7 guns.
From Viceroy, Bo The Government of India, in reply to the Secretary of
H 2705 dy/ 2nd x ^
Jany 1915. State’s telegram of the 14th Deer said that in view of
the above mentioned reports and because the military
value,to the Turks, of the Euphrates line of advance
was still uncertain they proposed to defer a decision
on the question of an occupation of Basirieh. It was
also pointed out that a move in that ffirection would
lead us directly towards Kerbela and the Holy Places
and that this might be used to excite religious oppo
sition, and that it was futther considered desirable to
await report from Major Shakespeare as to Ibn Saud and
the extent of his influence and co-operation. These
views were accepted and approved by the Secretary of State
As regards Ibn Saud the latest information was:-
Mrstly,that Sir I <> Cox had been in communication with
him,both directly and through the Sheik of Muhammerah,
on the subject of Sayid Talib (sttfammmaffl reg^rted, on the
30tn Octr, to have left Koweit fo'r Anaisa) whose loyalty
Ibn Saud professed a high opinion. Sir P.Cox, however,
had his doubts and replied that perhaps later on, and
after an interview with both which he had proposed,Sayid
Talib could be allowed to return to Basra.
Irom Viceroy(P), Secondly, that the Resident at Bushire reported that
dy/ 2nd Jany.
Ibn Saud’s attitude was entirely satisfactory as far as
To Viceroy, ITo
1507 dySth Jan,
From Viceroy(P)
dy/ 23rd Deer,