IOR/L/PS/10/462

Papers concerning diplomatic tensions between the British and Ottoman Governments at the outset of the First World War, including social unrest and military/naval movements in Baghdad, Basra, and the Shatt al-Arab. The volume’s papers were produced prior to the Ottoman Ruler Sultan Mehmed V’s declaration of war on Britain, France and Russia on 11 November 1914. The papers cover:

• The activities of Seyyid Talib [Saiyid Talib ibn Saiyid Rajab], former Governor (Wali) of Basra, in June 1914, including his attack on Basra and occupation of Zobeir [Zubayr].
• Reports of growing anti-British sentiment at Basra and Baghdad, and proposals to evacuate British women and children from the area in the event of war with Ottoman Turkey.
• Diplomatic exchanges between the British and Ottoman Governments, over the presence of British vessels (in particular HMS Odin) in the Shatt al-Arab, and in international waters off the coast of Mohammerah [Khorramshahr].
• Interruptions to British steamship services at Basra and Baghdad, particularly those of the Euphrates & Tigris Steam Navigation Company, as a result of Ottoman actions that include the requisitioning of coal at Basra.
• British officials’ concerns over the status of Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s operations at Abadan, including the reluctance of vessels to travel up to the head of the Persian Gulf to Abadan, and the British Government’s assurances that vessels travelling to Abadan and Mohammerah would be covered by War Insurance.
• British officials’ concerns over rumours that the Ottoman Navy plans to mine the Shatt al-Arab.

The file’s principal correspondents include: the India Office (John Evelyn Shuckburgh; Edmund George Barrow; Arthur Hirtzel); the Foreign Office (Eyre Alexander Barby Wichart Crowe; Louis du Pan Mallet); the Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Major Stuart George Knox).