'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎246v] (498/1386)

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only natural if it was seen that Persia could not protect interests that Great Britain is obliged
to safeguard.
“ Instructions have been sent to withstand Turks, but I gathered that Prime Minister and
some other members^of the Cabinet are afraid lest Persia may consequently find herself at
war with Turkey.
“Your telegram No. 30 since received. I have already informed both Prime Minister and
Minister for Foreign Affairs that the Comet and Shaitan, with guns and troops on board, have
proceeded to Ahwaz. No protest was made.
* * * *
“ I will now make a similar verbal communication, stating that the 7th Rajputs are
proceeding up the river, and would propose not to send in an official note unless it would
appear from Persian answer that situation demands such commun'cati >u.”
It was evident that little assistance was to be expected from Persia, while
no immediate aid could be given by the War Office. Consequently, on the
5th February the Secretary of State sent the following telegram :—
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department,
dated 5th February 1915.
\ A ^
“ 1()28. Reference my 1607. War Office express inability to give any reinforcements,
either to-replace 12th Brigade or to enable you to complete a" second Division for Gulf. I
understand that under these circumstances you consider that it would be unsafe to send more
troops to Gulf till reinforcements from home or Egypt are furnished. Please cable if this
correctly represents case. It will make position perfectly clear if you express urgent need of
reinforcements as well as inability to give it from existing Indian resources. 1 am quite
convinced of necessity of reinforcing Barrett up to two Divisions, as apart from menace on
K.arun side, it is obvious that ducks are concentrating troops in Mesopotamia; Jn mv view
t he need of reinforcing India by a proportion of British units is a more imp irtarit consideration’
than the risk run by you parting with the Indian complement of two m ire brig ides, althdu-di
the latter should not be ignored.”
On the 6th February General Barrett telegraphed from Kurna—
“ No. 201 G. General Barrett accompanied Viceroy here to-dar.
“ 90th Punjabis have arrived at Mazera to reinforce garrison. All quiet there.-
“Authentic reports from Arab source 29th confirm that Bawi tribesmen have risen and
h.oted the Oil Company's stores at Mulasani, five miles south of Bandikir, and set oil alb-ht at
Girana, five miles north-east of Ahwaz.”
and on the same day Sir P. Cox and the Viceroy sent the following
telegrams:—
“ From Sir P. Cox to the Viceroy, dated Kurna, 0th February 1915.
•203 B. Following from Consul at Muhammerah 6th February. Sheikh lias received
report from Chr.sib that Bawi have risen against him, and yesterday proceeded to loot
unopposed Oil Company’s store at Musane, and cut telephone line* shot holes in pipe line and
set oil alight at Girana. 11 > c -
“ In the circumstances it seems advisable to strengthen force at Ahwaz as soon as
possible.”
“ Telegram from Viceroy, rated 6th February 1915.
“ II 3193. In view of increasing enemy forces confronting Force D, we consider if
essential that S. Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, should be diverted to Basra. The Batterv
is theiefore being despatched to Mesopotamia at the earliest opportunity instead nf th
England. We trust our action may be approved.” 1 ^ ^stead ot to
This was followed on the 7th by another telegram from the Viceroy in
the Foreign Department. **
“ Foreign Secret. Akwaz. Cox reports 5th February r—
“ Developments came quickly, and matter was dealt with urgently on telephone.
“Vice Consul considered situation so imminently urgent owing to spread of ‘ L L
movement, instigated by Turks and Ghasban from Amara, that it was unsafe for Euronca s
to remain even until the arrival of Comet and they were withdrawn bv Shushan
•31st January and arrived Muhammerah safely. German representative Wonkhaus'at Ah
who was known to be in communication with enemy, elected to remain, which ie in
evidence of his complicity. ’ Iseii
“ Since then a battalion of Native Infantry has been sent up and is encamped at \miV.
on opposite bank to Ahwaz. 1 ‘ ln<i
“ Sheikh of Muhammerab sent up about a thousand of his own particular tribesmen whon
lie hopes wdl be against jehad, but the powerful Bawi tribesmen who were also mobil’ i
have refused to oppose movement if they have not actually joined it. On 2nd Fel - 1S .
Warrant Officer of Comet was shot dead in the street by a Baluchi fanatic in Do
Governor’s employ. Since then no further developments have been reported. pU *
“ As soon as Sheikh expressed inability to guarantee security of Europeans and Secret
of State ordered a battalion to be sent to Ahwaz to maintain order and resist expected rai PvV
Turks from Bisaitin, it was decided Germans could not safely be allowed to remain at Ah *
or Muhammerah. They were therefore placed under restraint and given passao-e to
Their property, houses, and offices were sealed by local authorities and bv a Bziitish Offi'-'^
f