The First World Oil War by Timothy C. Winegard

Author:Timothy C. Winegard
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4875-1171-5
Publisher: University of Toronto Press
Published: 2017-10-13T04:00:00+00:00

The Foreign Office agreed that the “rapid advance of the Germans eastwards through the Ukraine serves to draw attention once again to their evident designs upon the Caucasus.”19 The secure footing desired by the Germans in the Caucasus was presented, gift-wrapped, by the Georgians.

The Transcaucasian government realized its weak and inferior position while negotiations continued at Batum during a brief cessation of hostilities. On 15 May, Georgia, having already been partially occupied by the Turks, was in the weakest position and stalled negotiations with the Turks, while appealing to Germany for protection: “The only possible way out of their predicament seemed to be the proclamation of Georgia’s independence and the dissolution of Transcaucasia as a federation. Once Georgia was independent, she could invite the Germans to protect her against the Turks.”20 The Germans were eager to discuss possible approaches, as keeping the covetous Turks from Baku was a high priority. They also wanted Georgia’s manganese, and control of its railways, which would facilitate the movement of oil and troops across the entire southern Caucasus. A significant number of former German prisoners of war were drifting around the region and could be mustered to aid Georgia, thus advancing German aims in the region. Ludendorff reacted quickly to the offer, realizing the constraints on time and the limited window of opportunity, stressing to his German delegates that “Germany’s recognition and protection will at the same time give Georgia security against the greedy Turks … We should not postpone decisions … If Georgia is our advanced base, it is to be hoped that the Caucasian territory will be gradually pacified and that we should be able to draw from there the raw materials we so urgently need … Also, Baku should not be ceded to the Turks … It would be an act of hostility towards us if the Turks were to occupy the Tiflis-Baku line and Baku itself, an occupation which might lead to the destruction of the local oil industry.” Ludendorff was also being prodded by leaders of German industry, who were clamouring for an opportunity to exploit the vast resources of the Caucasus and the oilfields of Baku. Furthermore, the kaiser was convinced that Baku would be valuable brokering leverage if, and when, peace negotiations commenced.21

On 25 May, a secret German-Georgian agreement was reached whereby Georgia would be incorporated “in the German Reich, either as a Federal state ruled by a German prince, or in a relationship like that of a British dominion under a German viceroy.”22 On the same day, Germany again appealed to the Turks to transfer their forces in the Caucasus to Mesopotamia and Palestine, warning, “If the Turkish government, in pursuit of political interests in other areas, neglects the defense of its own national territory and causes us trouble in the Caucasus … it must not assume that we shall later recoup its own national territory at our expense.”23 A few hours later, in response, Ottoman forces captured the major rail line running north towards Tiflis.

The

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