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Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [126v] (252/544)
The record is made up of 1 file (272 folios). It was created in 13 Mar 1918-7 Jan 1919. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
16
*
II- —Subsequent Absorption of the Mission into M.E.F.
W.O. 59064,
May 27, 1918.
He and his staff then became an integral part of General Marshall’s force, viz.,
on the 27th May, 1918, and his duties were to assist in securing the Khanikin-Resht
road, and eventually to obtain control of the Caspian.
o.-o.-c.
Mespot.’s X.
9257, June 4,
1918.
W.O. 59655
to G.-O.-C.
M 68 pot.
UunsterviUe’s
G. 744 to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
W.O. 60107,
June 13.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
X. 9597,
June 17.
W. O. 60491,
Jane 19.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.,
X. 9706.
W. O. 61196,
June 28, to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
G.-O. C.
Mespot.’s
X. 9897,
June 30.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.’s,
July 4.
W O. 62323,
July 15.
Mespot.’s
X. 365,
July 18.
Mespot.’s
X. 388,
July 19.
W.O. 62635,
July 20.
W. O. 62829,
July 23, to
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
C.-in-C. India
to W.O.,
59101, July27.
Bagdad
X. 666,
July 29.
G.-O.-C.
Mespot.
X. 960,
August 7.
III .—The Baku Project.
It very soon became evident that the defence of Baku was of the lirst impor
tance, and Dunsterville proposed to undertake it. G.-O.-C. Mesopotamia recom
mended that Dunsterville should be given a free hand as regards sending British
troops to Baku under his (G.-O.-C. Mesopotamia’s) control.
On the 6th June the War Office telegraphed that His Majesty’s Government
have no objection to Dunsterville ‘ preparing ” to send a force to Baku, but, pending
further orders, forbade Dunsterville, any British troops, or Bicharakov’s troops
going there.
On the 8th June Dunsterville telegraphed that he hoped to save Baku, if he
could go there and be followed by a British battery and a British battalion as soon
as possible.
On the 13th June War Office telegraphed that there was no objection to despatch
of a few officers to report on possibilities of situation, but that despatch of British
forces there, or even assurance of armed help, seemed to them both inexpedient and
dangerous.
General Marshall, in reply to a telegram from Dunsterville, saying he would
again ask for troops if situation proved better than he expected, wired that, except
it be ordered by War Office, he did not intend to send him any more troops.
War Office replied to above that a report should be awaited from the officer
who accompanied Bicharakov.
The 21st June Bicharakov complained of want of support, and asked that four
of our armoured cars might accompany him to Baku. Mesopotamia agreed to this
and ordered it.
His Majesty’s Government was not; satisfied that we were taking full advantage
of our opportunities, and that maximum effort was being made towards the Caspian,
and definitely ordered Marshall to send as many troops as he could support into
North-West Persia.
Dunsterville reports a more favourable situation in Baku, and urges) more
palpable British support to Bicharakov.
Dunsterville again urges despatch of British forces to Baku before situation
changed. Marshall reports that his arrangements for collecting transport are
nearly complete.
War Office telegraphed that if, in Marshall's opinion, circumstances render it
desirable or possible, with due regard to the safety of the Hamadan-Enzeli road, to
send officers to Baku, or to despatch a small force to that place, they would be glad
to see it done. They complain of lack of local information.
Dunsterville reports that sending officers or troops to Baku involved hostilities
against Bolshevist Government there. Marshall expressed opinion that at present
the only way for a small force to reach Baku was by consent of its present
Government.
Reports from Baku indicate public feeling was in favour of British assistance.
Marshall reports he has permitted Dunsterville to move one battalion to Enzeli for
despatch to Baku, to be followed by a battery.
Approved the above.
Expresses doubt as to Dunsterville’s capacity, and complains that he has sent
no useful information, and asks whether, in Marshall’s opinion, he should not be
replaced.
Marshall (then in Delhi) did not wish to displace Dunsterville.
G.-O.-C. reports coup d'etat in Baku, and that new Government want British
help, and adds that transports were on their way to Enzeli to fetch our troops.
Reports arrival of first detachment of British troops on the 5th August, and
that more left Enzeli on the 6th August, and that defence troops at Baku are under
five different political organisations, all independent of each other, with no central
control; and that oil fields were full of pro-Turkish Tartar workmen.
About this item
- Content
This file is composed of papers produced by the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee, which was chaired by George Curzon for most of its existence. The file contains a complete set of printed minutes, beginning with the committee's first meeting on 28 March 1918, and concluding with its final meeting on 7 January 1919 (ff 6-214 and ff 227-272).
The file begins with two copies of a memorandum by Curzon, dated 13 March 1918, proposing the formation of the Eastern Committee. This is followed by a memorandum by Arthur James Balfour, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, approving Curzon's proposal, and a copy of a procedure for the newly created committee, outlining arrangements for committee meetings and the dissemination of information to committee members.
Also included is a set of resolutions, passed by the committee in December 1918, in order to guide British representatives at the Paris Peace conference (ff 216-225). The resolutions cover the following: the Caucasus and Armenia; Syria; Palestine; Hejaz and Arabia; Mesopotamia, Mosul, Baghdad and Basra. They are preceded by a handwritten note written by Curzon 'some years later', which remarks on how they are a 'rather remarkable forecast of the bulk of the results since obtained.'
- Extent and format
- 1 file (272 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 272; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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- Reference
- Mss Eur F112/274
- Title
- Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee
- Pages
- 1r:214v, 216r:272v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence