"أوراق متعلقة بلجنة بلاد الرافدين من غرفة السير إ. بارو" [ظ‎‎٣‎٩‎٧] (١٣٨٦/٨٠٤)

4
was really designed in your interests partly in order not to denude it of
officers, partly because we thought you could more easity meet urgent bast
African demand with troops less important for your schemes of external and
local defence. There is no piobability of any demand being made for this
third division so far as we can see into future, but it would be well to keep
it mobilised in case of emergencies possibly affecting your interests.
/Y°j.
Telegram from Viceroy to Secretary of State, dated loth August 1914.
Private. Your private telegram of 13th ipstant. Troops from India.
My private telegram of 12th August was due to my anxiety and that of the
Coinmander-in-Chief as to procedure adopted at home by which resources
iti officers and war material on which we had reckoned in making our plans
were taken from us without previous consultation. Y e have, however,
never wavered in our readiness and anxiety to assist Empire to the utmost
of our power, limited only by considerations of safety of India. Pre
parations for despatch of Expeditions A, B and C are being pushed forward.
As stated in my public telegram No. II 2bt) of yesterday, troops for Expedi
tion B are being drawn from (ith division, it being understood that division
will not be required for Expedition A, and this course being that which
allows of the most rapid despatch of Expedition B. As explained in my
above-quoted public telegram, instead of four Indian infantry battalions we are-
sending a complete brigade, the ICth, with its British battalion and three
Indian infantry battalions. We think from a political point of view it would
be unwise to send a purely native force to attack Europeans, and that from
a military point of view this increase to the fighting value of the force is
necessary having regard to the opposition you have warned us as likely to
bo encountered. We are mobilising another brigade to replace the 16th.
Telegram from Viceroy to Secretary of State, dated loth August 1914.
Private. Commander-in-Ohief has asked War Office whether any
Imperial Service Cavalry would be acceptable with Expedition A. Politically
the despatch of Imperial Service Troops to Europe is desirable, and as
infantry are being employed with Expeditions B and C, I would like to send
at least one regiment of cavalry, but preferably two or three, that are known
to be really serviceable, with Expedition A.
Would you ascertain War Office views.
/rb.y.
Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 17th August 1914.
fr
Private. Your private telegram of 15th instant. Imperial Service
Cavalry. War Office glad to accept one regiment of Imperial Service Cavalry
with Expedition A forthwith. It is possible that others may be asked for
later. 4 ,
Telegram from Viceroy to Secretary of State, dated 2ith August 1914.
Private. Force B. W hile all our other efforts to help the Empire are
progressing: satisfactory, the Commander-in-Chief represents to me that he is
anxious about force B which is intended to conquer German East Africa. He
regards this expedition as a side-show, and as having no real bearing on the
final result of the war. In this view lie is right as far as I can see. He
would prefer to retain troops detailed for possible requirements which might
become much more pressing should Turkey join Germany. We recognise,
however, that you in England are in a much better position than we can be
to appreciate the situation as a whole, and we are quite prepared to send the
troops asked for to German East Africa if it be decided in the interest of the
Empire that course is desirable. lie tells me, however, that he has not. been
consulted as to strength or composition of force, that it is to be composed
largely of Imperial Service troops,and that any preliminary failure would
therefore have a political effect. It is obvious that to effect a successful
landing, naval co-operation will be essential, but I have ascertained that
neither Admiral commanding East Indian squadron, nor AAniral com-