Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎10v] (20/544)

Persian Cabinet.
Soutli Persia Rifles.
Extension of the
Nushki Railway.
Position in
Caucasus.
Threat to India by
Enemy Action.
had received 35,000?. in the last six months. This represented a
rate of 5,800?. a month. It was open to doubt whether he had
earned that amount, and it appeared excessive to add a gratuity of
25,000?., while more than doubling the monthly subvention.
The Committee concurred with this opinion, but, in view of the
urgent representations of Sir R. Wingate, it was decided
That consent to the gift of 25,000?. should be withheld : that
the monthly subsidy should be raised to 10,000?., and that
Sir R. Wingate should be informed of this decision by the
Foreign Office.
3. E.C. 103 from Sir C. Marling was read, as well as a later
telegram (E.C. 112), produced at the meeting by Mr. Oliphant. No
action or change in the policy previously adopted appeared
necessary’.
4. Attention was drawn to E.C. 86, which was read and noted.
5. The question was raised by the Chairman. E.C. 90 was
read. It appeared from this that the original intention of continuing
the line to Rabat, and ultimately into Seistan, was abandoned by the
authorfties in India, in favour of a plan to extend the railway into
Persian territory. . . ., ,,
It was felt that this was a proposition nvolving considerable
political problems. • Moreover, strategically this did not appear to
be the most useful railway construction that could be undertaken m
Persia, should any be possible. .
Lord Islington said that the 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. had written to the
Foreign Office and War Office suggesting that, while the question of
extending this railway into Persia required mature consideration, a
preliminary survey, ‘as proposed in E.C. 90, might usefully be
undertaken.
It was decided—
That the 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. should obtain the full views of the
Government of India on the subject of an extension of the
line to Rabat.
6 Note was taken of E.C. 101.
It did not appear possible to take or recommend any action tor
the time being.
7 The Chairman pointed out that on the subject ol the various
nemy movements threatening India, there had been no compre-
ensive appreciation from the Government of India itself. In the
vent of sudden danger in Turkestan or Afghanistan it would be
^11 for the Committee to have received and considered advice from
ndia. It could be presumed that the Government of India had
mple material for a full appreciation of the possible eventualities,
nd it was decided—
That the 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. should request the Government of India
2, Whitehall Gardens, SW.,
April 12, 1918.