Chapter

Contents

Part I

TURKEY
 

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1

Abdul the Damned

The reign of Abdul Hamid  —  the Russo - Turkish war of 1877 — Britain intervenes — the fleet at the Dardanelles — the Congress of Berlin — progress and despotism — the wrong horse — the Mediterranean agreements of the 1890s — Germany steps in to fill the breach  — the concession for the Baghdad Railway — the threat from Russia — the new strategic alignment.

2

The Young Turks

The defence of Egypt — Military apprehension regarding close Turco - German ties — the 1906 C.I.D. debate on war with Turkey — the question of the Dardanelles — a difference of opinion within the Navy — the view from the Foreign Office — the General Staff appreciation — intelligence gathering — the malign influence of Gerald Fitzmaurice —  unrest within the Empire — the Anglo - Russian Agreement — the signal for the revolution  — a guerilla campaign — the British Embassy caught on the hop — Fitzmaurice’s appraisal  — the constitution is reinstated — hopeful signs of improved Anglo - Turkish relations  — Grey’s fears — his instructions to the new Ambassador.

3

Revolution and Counter-revolution

The new regime — an early test — the secret Austro - Russian agenda — the Bosnian crisis  — Isvolsky thwarted — Russia reconsiders her relations with Turkey — the demand for a Conference — the awkward question that has come too soon — Isvolsky’s new proposal —  his threat — Cabinet considers and rejects the latest proposal — the question of reciprocity  — the Straits memorandum — the hope that the question may now be postponed — a Conference or direct negotiations? — Isvolsky’s delicate position — the Turks seek assistance — a Balkan entente? — an offensive alliance — the first signs of reaction — the difficulty of dealing with the Committee — Parliament re - opens — a breakthrough — the Austro - Turkish Protocol — an ingenious idea — the Turks hold out for more.

4

A Chance is Lost

A Japanese analogy — the appointment of a British Naval Mission — more anxiety over German influence — the Baghdad Railway controversy — Kiamil overreaches himself — a game of bluff — the Russo - Turkish Protocol — the Conference proposal shelved —  Nicolson advocates an Anglo - Russian alliance — Grey’s refusal — Hardinge’s attitude — the counter - revolution — the Action Army marches — the demise of Abdul Hamid —  Lowther’s patronizing attitude — the Young Turks are granted a second chance —  Lowther fights back — Austrian ambitions satiated — Isvolsky embittered — the devil you know.

The attempt to separate army from politics — Ottomanization versus Turkification — the C.U.P. splinters — a British railway — British penetration into Mesopotamia — a new naval programme — a British snub — relations deteriorate — the threat of Pan - Islamism — a change of emphasis in Russia — foreign money — a scheme to employ German naval officers is nipped in the bud — a new realism — the Baghdad Railway reconsidered — Italy jumps the gun.

6

The Turks Attract No Bids

 The Turco - Italian War — opening shots — Italy alienates her friends — the Foreign Office remains faithful — the Turkish appeals for intervention — an effective guerrilla war — the Tcharykov intrigue — a Turkish offer of alliance — Churchill’s advocacy — Grey adopts a conciliatory line — the Admiralty is unconcerned — who will make the first move? — a new Russian initiative — the Russian Ambassador is disowned.  

7

A Harmless Sort of War

 The war does little damage — the hunt for scapegoats — attacks upon the C.U.P. increase  — the ‘Big Stick’ election — Italy steps up the war — a pointless attack — a small victory for the Concert of Europe — a Russian volte - face — the Dodecanese occupied — the British position — Foreign Office concerns over the evacuation of the Mediterranean — Crowe’s memorandum — the C.U.P. is overthrown — a short - lived peace is achieved.

8

A Dangerous Season

Internal unrest — the Balkan League — the not - so - secret treaty — the First Balkan War —  the Turks are routed — the fall of Constantinople looms — a new Grand Vizier — the delicate British position — a Russian over - reaction — the Turkish line holds — an armistice and a conference in London — a review of 1912 — new proposals for the Baghdad Railway — the Conference reconvenes — the problem of Adrianople.

9

Enver Intervenes

A coup is planned — the pretext — Enver and Talaat act to prevent an ignominious peace  — the personalities of Enver and Talaat — a new reply is sent — hostilities re - opened —  Lowther grows weary — Fitzmaurice turns against the Ambassador — the final battle for Adrianople — the fall of Adrianople — the Turks sue for peace — the Treaty of London  — the problem of the Aegean Islands — a strong navy — British Naval Mission — Lowther’s alarming reports.  

10

The Open Mind

Grey plans Lowther’s recall — Kiamil’s coup is forestalled — the assassination of the Grand Vizier — the consolidation of the C.U.P. — Talaat, Enver and Djemal come out into the open — a new approach for a defensive alliance — the credentials of the Ambassador - designate — the Second Balkan War — a Bulgarian miscalculation —  Adrianople is re - taken — the preservation of Ottoman integrity — the Turks try the patience of the Powers — the problem of coercion — the closed mind.

11

The Mission

Mallet – a new direction? — the German Military Mission — the appointment of Liman von Sanders — the Russian reaction — the delicate British position — the difficulty of dealing with Sazonov — the comparison with Limpus — Sazonov ups the stakes — the strength of the Entente put to the test — a possible concession — Grey’s predicament —  Mallet’s conciliatory approach — German intelligence — the collective inquiry to the Grand Vizier —  Russia must be supported.

12

The Unhappy Plight of Admiral Limpus

Signs of a compromise — Enver becomes Minister for War — Liman’s promotion — the crisis subsides — Russia considers her options — Sazonov’s standing is lowered — pressure to strengthen the Entente — the work of Admiral Limpus — the fate of the Brazilian battleship — Turkey buys a dreadnought — the dockyard concession — a rebuke — the Admiral’s disillusionment — Limpus attempts to leave.

13

Russian Machinations

The islands’ question — a new cause for concern — Venizelos makes mischief — Liman exceeds his remit — the Straits are strengthened — the Turks are annoyed, the British suspicious — a shift in German policy? — the Russians take a pragmatic line — the limitations of Russian foreign policy — the Turks offer an alliance — Sazonov vacillates  — Turkish naval building — tension with Greece — the curious case of the fortuitously delayed dreadnought.

14

The Alliance

The easing of local tension — another alliance approach — changes in the Embassy —  Fitzmaurice is forced out — Mallet on leave — German doubts begin to surface — a decision is reached — every rifle is required — the forced conversion of Ambassador Wangenheim  — the terms of the Treaty — Austria declares war on Serbia — the Russian mobilization —  Goeben is required — a possible trade - off? — an alliance is concluded.

15

The Embargo

Churchill’s hand is forced — a deliberate act of policy? — an inconvenient opinion — policy or piracy? — a race against time — Raouf is dispossessed — the Turkish protest — Enver puts a price on Turkish assistance — a double game — Turkish mobilization — the Foreign Office abandons hope — Said Halim strikes a hard bargain — conflicting reports — a convergence of opinion — the position becomes clearer.

16

Negotiate and Temporize

Activity in Constantinople — a Bulgarian compact — Enver’s unusual request — his motives examined — the Turks temporize — continued anger at the pre - emption — Limpus desires to be recalled — the question of payment — procrastination in London — Admiral Milne is kept in the dark — a definite clue is received — no action is taken —  the performance of the Admiralty and Foreign Office — the conspiracy in Athens.  

17

The Bogus Sale

Earnest entreaties — where was Churchill? — good news from Constantinople — the onerous burden of the Chargé D’Affaires — a clearer indication of the Turkish attitude —  the German ships arrive — disbelief in London — final acceptance — a provocative blockade? — efforts to keep Turkey neutral — Enver prevaricates — sanctuary is granted  — an inspired compromise — the reaction in London — recognition of the fait accompli.

18

The Turks Play a Double Game

Goeben’s new refuge — Souchon travels to Constantinople — Sazonov reacts at last —  Grey’s cautious approach — Churchill’s personal appeal — the anomalous position of Admiral Limpus — Limpus is sacked — Crowe’s intervention — a grand ceremony — solemn assurances — strategic options — the difficulty of achieving surprise — the trap for Souchon  — Mallet returns — an immediate success — a new pragmatism — an unwarranted complaint — an assurance is given — Mallet is deceived.

19

The Forward Policy of Winston Churchill

A generous offer? — who rules at the Porte? — Djemal’s shopping list — patience wears thin  — no effort is made to repatriate the German crews — patience is exhausted — a signal to attack — German gold to bribe the Turks — the mission of Admiral Guido von Usedom  — a plan for British action — Churchill applies the pressure — the assurance to Greece — a less than generous offer — Talaat springs a surprise — a new posting for Limpus — Mallet objects — Churchill’s fury — an unsatisfactory arrangement — unseemly haste — the Naval Mission departs — varied intelligence.  

20

The Last Hurrah for Said Halim

The Dardanelles defences — unrelenting German pressure — Enver’s authorization — a step too far — Said Halim rallies support — the victory is short - lived — Mallet’s rebuke —  Churchill renews his attack upon Mallet — Carden’s new orders — a minor incident — the Straits are closed — Mallet’s surmise — a lack of suitable agents — Talaat, the pivotal figure? — Kühlmann’s mission — Enver’s mercenary suggestion — Germany buys Turkish action — hope is abandoned in London.

21

The Private War

Mallet stakes all — Enver’s secret arrangement — the German plan — the bombardment —  the burden of uncertainty is lifted — a fatuous demand — last minute Turkish doubts — no disavowal is possible — the Embassy staffs depart — Foreign Office policy is defended —  Sazonov hesitates — the formula of Ottoman integrity is abandoned — Churchill’s prompt blow — change at the Admiralty — Fisher returns — Limpus urges caution — a futile demonstration — its consequence — panic in Constantinople — the declaration of war —  Churchill orders a repeat dose — the Turkish response — Churchill prevaricates — a private war.  

The attractions of the Dardanelles — a right and obvious method — no army is forth - coming — the effect of Carden’s lucky shot — Churchill’s volatile mind — the exploits of B11 and Doris — the Turks under - estimated — the appalling prospect on the Western Front — Hankey’s memorandum — Churchill’s option — Fisher’s caution — competing projects — Lloyd George enters the fray — the higher direction of the war — a Russian appeal  — Enver takes charge — a Turkish rout — Kitchener’s pessimism — no troops to spare —  playing the German game.  

An important adherent — Fisher’s crucial contribution — an important alteration — a gibe  — its curious effect — the inquiry to Carden — an alternative explanation — Northern possibilities — a limited action? — planning for the Borkum operation continues — Carden’s reply — its effect — Admiral Jackson’s cautious appraisal — the question of timing —  intelligence from Constantinople — a window of opportunity — the debate in the War Council — Kitchener now enthuses — Balfour is prescient but quiet — Fisher loses his grip.  

A convergence of desires — Churchill holds to the Northern option — Carden’s plan arrives — a novel suggestion from Fisher — conflicting signals — Churchill’s bombshell in the War Council — Asquith’s curious conclusions — the issue is fudged — Churchill proposes, Fisher opposes — Fisher catches cold — his unease becomes known — Hankey intervenes — send for Jellicoe? — Churchill acts to silence the opposition — Fisher’s surprising reaction — a sad spectacle — Hankey and Fisher collaborate — Churchill finds a scapegoat — Asquith’s lapse of judgment.  

Persuasion

Problems with the French — a rebuff — Grey’s support is enlisted — a further precaution —  Churchill cannot risk the French obtaining command — The First Lord has his way —  Augagneur is convinced — the Grand Duke is dealt with — the Russians are surprised  — Fisher makes a stand — Asquith stands firm — a scene in the War Council — Kitchener’s athletic intervention — were the risks made clear? — a trade - off — Fisher’s reluctant acceptance.

An immediate meeting is convened — tacit acceptance — the power of naval weaponry — a misapprehension — Hankey’s concern — a new French initiative — the prevarications of Premier Venizelos — the question of troops  — a new offer to Greece — Hankey’s calculating assent — Kitchener has second thoughts  — pressure is applied — the effect of the opening bombardment — troops are committed.  

The Oil Equation  

A hidden agenda? — a Persian oil concession is granted — Admiralty trials — oil to be used as an adjunct only — the competition is eliminated — D’Arcy’s lack of success — Fisher, the oil maniac — the last - minute strike — the new menace — Churchill, another convert — the Pakenham Committee — the Royal Commission on Oil Fuel — a forgone conclusion? —  the quest for the Mesopotamian concession — Greenway’s alarming evidence — Fisher is unconcerned — the advantages of oil — a surprise recommendation — the Commission bites back — APOC vs. Shell — the question of price.  

The Admiralty balks at Greenway’s terms — the need for capital — Indian participation?  — Churchill’s important memorandum — competing standards — Churchill argues persuasively — the debate is inconclusive — the decision to revert to coal in the Revenge class  — the Admiralty tries to enlist the support of the India Office — the logical conclusion  — the Admiralty enters the oil business — the last opposition is silenced — Anglo - Turkish negotiations — Admiral Slade’s commission — a multitude of applications — a deal is done  — the Fusion Agreement — a final complication.  

Anglo - Persian makes a move on the Mesopotamian fields — the question of direct influence in Mesopotamia — the Admiralty position — the Admiralty and Foreign Office clash — the problem of overt British participation — the undesirability of reciprocal rights  — the negotiations stall — the finalization of the APOC deal — Churchill’s five conditions  — harsh criticism — appeasing the Russians and Shell — the test of war — the British position in the Gulf secured — the fate of Constantinople — Russian apprehension  — confusion amongst the allies — no way to run a war.  

The Great Prize  

The Director of Naval Intelligence and his private initiative — the reappearance of Fitzmaurice — secret Anglo - Turkish talks — something more than money — electrifying news — Fisher’s hasty reaction — a secondary bombardment — an approach to the Vali of Smyrna — the promise of a coup — Grey has no room to manoeuvre — the failure of these attempts — the question of Greek participation — Grey’s innocuous statement — Russian apprehension turns to alarm — fears of a separate peace — another sweeping offer by Venizelos — the Russian veto — a compromise? — Foreign Office objections — the issue is decided in Athens — the Tsar’s decree — a link between Constantinople and Persia? — the Russian proposal is debated — a quid pro quo — the fate of the neutral zone in Persia — the consideration of British desiderata — summary.