Page 424 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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would be desirable for tho safety of tbo British camp. He therefore requested
permission to land more men from Her Majesty’s ship Pigeon and his own
rossels, both of which were at Galag.
184. Commander Baker thereupon telegraphed to tho Rosidcnt atBusbiro
stating that ho was going to Galag nt once, and asking to hear whether tho
Resident thought that Captain Prasor’s suggestion for landing reinforoemonts
should be enrriod out.
185. The Resident replied that the " Persian Government have directed
tbo Persian Commander to romain on tho defensive pending tho arrival of
reinforcements, so no further force seems nececssary at Rapch at. present.’*
This telogram, however, was unfortunately not treated as urgent, and did not
reach Commander Baker till after his arrival at Rapch.
186. Commander Baker arrived at Going early on the morning of the 13th,
and finding no telegram from the Resident, and the weather being favourable,
proceeded to land a force of 13 officers and 145 men.
187. After landing ho recoived a telegram from Commandor Praser at
Rapch to the following effect:—
“Reddent has telegraphed to Legation that h*> considers that, for purely defensive purposes,
preseut party at Knpch is sufficient. Legation has replied that they are of the same opinion,
and that if Persians are not sufficiently strong to carry out punitive measures, they had better
await Asaf-ed-Dowleh’s arrival or further reinforcements from Bushire. Am going with
Campbell to see Deria Beghi and ascertain from him what ho proposes to do. ”
188. This message is given in ex lens'• as Enclosure 4 in Commander
Baker’s report; but in his comments upon it in paragraph 7 of the report,
Commander Baker entirely ignores the latter part of it, which clearly pointed
to his endeavouring to obtain some further information as to the Persian
Commander’s inteutions before proceeding further.
189. On the contrary, Commander Baker marched the force on at once
to Rnpoh and arrived there, “after an arduous mat oh,” at 6-30 r. m. On his
arrival, Commander Praser told him that at 2-30 p.m. he had been officially
: informed by the Darya Beghi, that orders have been received‘from the Porsian
Government that be was to act on the defensive. This was confirmed about
half-an-bour afterwards by the arrival of the telegram from the Resident
already mentioned. Commander Baker observes : “The purport of this
telegram was absolutely clear, aud if it had been received by me at Galag, tho
reinforcement would not have been sent on to the camp.**
190. Nevertheless, Commander Baker proceeded to urge the Persian
Commander that same evening to disobey his instructions, and to recommence
punitive operations at once, promising him the protection of the British force.
This will be seen from the following telegram despatched by him to the Resident,
of which he does not appear to have forwarded a copy to the Admiral :—
“ Sphinx/* Rapch, to Resident.
“ Dated 14th February 1898.
“I spoke to Darya Beghi last night, and proposed to him that he >hould at once proceed
and cut down trees now that there was sn large a force in British Camp, and that in the event
of his doing so I promised that I would cover hie proceedings and retreat if necessary. Ho
said he would be willing and anxious to do so if it were uot for the orders he had received on
the 12th telling him to remain in camp, and ho i9 quite impressed with our force here.
“ Cannot something, therefore, bo doDe t > at once force the Persians to move ?
“As long as I promise him my present naval support, ho will be satisfied, and events
would, as far as our party is concerned, bo in my hands. I should, of course, take every
precaution not to take auy initiative. This, I feel firmly convinced, is ihe most favourable
opportunity that has yet presented itself, and it should not, if there is any reality in the wishes
of the Government, be allowed to pass.
“ The position of inactivity, in as far as the naval force is concerned, and their continued
absence from their ships, would not, in my opinion, meet with the approval of the Naval
Commauder-in-Chiof.
“ Captain Crcagh and Mr. Campbell have both informed me that, in the event of defensive
operation* being continued, that tho detachment of sepoys is ample for defence of camp, and
that the blue-jackcts are not required; therefore, 1 feel it my duty, if this state of affairs
remains, to communicate my views to the Commandor-in-Chnf.
“The naval force is at present here nominally to protect the Persians/*