'File 61/14 VI (D 50) Relations between Nejd and Iraq' [‎197r] (416/830)

^♦G , s # setter ilo» 4^ j 2 , « dated 3rd» April 1920•
( 2 )
ihe xsork carried out oy tiie Company on bhor® has
been directed iiainly toward© the increase of the machine ^un
fire of the defence which was referred to in my laut report*
wiiiall Arm& drill and laarchea have aleo "been carried out while
I have made periodical and detailed inspections of platoon
sections. At least two Bectionfc have been eaployed daily
in the work of sstoriag and watering the Caap.
On Thursdayt ^9th« larch 19-3> a mout successful dis^.la-
wa© given'"by volunteer, parties fro i the Company* ' fhe
display^which was largely attended by the Townspeople consist
ed ox rifle drill by iieaxaent rifle and bayonet drill Igy xioy&X
arinest a plysical training displc^ and a mime battle.
Ji'-.e SheiMi with the majority of his relations, the - olitical
Agent and all Oo.:isianding Officer-^ were present*
Bue to the reduced numbers onboiird the shi js there has
been little opportunity for drills and exercises other than
tiose required for bombardment purposes* The requirei.ients
oi imintenance lis.ve kept all hands onboard fully employed*
9. On the return of H*.I*S* •Crocus 0 froa Basrah her
platoon was retained onboard for four days in order to give
the Com landing Officer an opportunity of cleaning the ship
thoroughly.
l'J« The iioyal Air force Jase has been provided with
bread and water daily, while the .uoyal Air force Lave placed
their Ford Jars at the disposal of the Caxap when required.
11. The opportunities for recreation have been taken full
advantage of and football and hockey matches have been played
uaily. it is of interest to note the daily increasing
number oi' Arabs who come to atch the matches*
1»-. Att the request ox the Political resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. classes of
instruction in .achine i--un b i• ave been formed fro -1 the Sheikh • s
immediate reti iners, it having been approved for the Uheikh
to purchase machine and Lewis uuns for his own defence
purposes.
!£>• The behaviour of the men onshore has been exception
ally good and has excited the ad vu rat ion of His lixcellenc^
the aheikh who has informed me of his great appreciation of
the courtesy displayed towards his people by the men under
my command.
14. The healtii of all ships' companies has been
remarkably good.
15. X wish to put on record my great appreciation of
the work carried out by lieutenant Colonel J*C. more, i )*a*o*,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Auwait, during period in charts of the
defences of that tovm. Colonel lore has given me all and
any information which he hiiself has received bearing on the
situation, at the same time giving me the favour of his own
views on ouch reports which, in view of his intiiats
knowledge of all Arabian ane Iraq ai"fairs have been invaluable.
Co-operation has been exceedingly close and our personal
relations most cordial.
Colonel .ore has been ••••