"تاريخ الحرب الكبرى استنادًا إلى وثائق رسمية: العمليات في بلاد فارس ١٩١٤-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٥‎٢] (٥٦٦/١٠٨)

GERMAN ACCOUNTS
75
unrest in India, in the power or capacity of Indians to overthrow
British rule or even in the probability of internal risings on the
appearance of an enemy on the Indian frontier. Nevertheless,
thinking that much could be done in Persia and Afghanistan
to divert British attention, he agreed to take part in the
enterprise. But he did not like the manner in which it was
being organised. Dual control by the Foreign Office and the
General Staff, combined with lack of control in the expedition
itself, whose members were all of equal status, seemed likely
to allow the political and commercial aspects of the project to
overshadow its military objects. The lack of definite instruc
tions as to the procedure to be followed or the action to be taken
soon led both him and Zugmayer to the conclusion that, to do
any good, the expedition must be organised on a military basis.
By the end of September, most of the members of the
expedition under the leadership of Wassmuss were at or nearing
Aleppo, while Niedermayer and Zugmayer in Constantinople
were discussing plans, including that of moving through Persia
in parallel columns, with Enver Pasha. He was confident that
the Amir of Afghanistan would fall in with their plans, but, as
these would be carried out under the banner of Jahcid, it was
undesirable that the expedition should be accompanied by too
many obviously Christian Germans. Consequently, said Enver,
these must have Turkish officers commissions and wear
Turkish uniform. To this the Germans agreed, though they
did not like the idea it suggested of Turkish control.
On the 16th October Zugmayer, Paschen* and Schonemann
left Constantinople for Aleppo with some of the baggage and
£60,000 in gold. Niedermayer, his doctor brother, Consten
(a commercial expertf) and Griesinger remained in Con
stantinople waiting for the arrival of stores and equipment
which had been sent off some time previously from Berlin,
labelled “ Travelling Circus.” But the sight of wireless masts
among the stores aroused the suspicions of the Rumanian
authorities, who, finding on closer inspection that the so-called
fireworks included machine guns and rifle ammunition, con
fiscated the whole consignment. Niedermayer had, therefore,
to send to Berlin for more equipment and to despatch Consten
to facilitate its transit through Rumania by bribery.
Niedermayer had many troubles and difficulties to overcome.
There was constant friction between Germans and Turks , and
* Two Germans of this name took part in the expedition,
f Consten subsequently left the expedition, i.e., after it reached Baghdad.