Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎16v] (32/544)

2
Extension of
Nushki Kailway.
General Dunster-
ville’s Mission.
were unknown, and that it would probably take some weeks to
reach its destination. Under these circumstances it was perhaps
premature to issue any instructions.
It was decided—
ihat 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 ascertain whether the Mission had
started, and what was the probable date of its arrival at
Meshed.
It was pointed out by General Cox that the instructions to the
Mission as they now stood (E.C.-131) might preclude it from
improving any occasion that might arise of securing the co-operation
of any forces disposed to help us against disturbing elements.
General Macdonogh said that the War Office strongly supported
General Cox s views. To deny the use of the Trans-Caspian
Railway to the enemy was our main objective. This could be
effected from Meshed by gaining the friendship of tribes situated
along the line.
I he Chairman observed that any action to this end from
Meshed should have a northerly rather than an easterly direction, to
avoid arousing the suspicions of the Amir of Afghanistan.
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 inform the Government of India,
and the I oreign Office Sir C. Marling, of the views held
by the military authorities here as to the principal object
which the Meshed Mission should keep in view, and that
comments from both should be invited, and in due course
communicated to the Committee.
In this connection, General Macdonogh informed the Committee
that two companies of Indian troops detached from the Seistan force
had moved to Meshed. They were being replaced, and the Seistan
force would be about two battalions strong.
*3. A telegram from the Viceroy (E.C.-201) advocating the
extension of the Nushki Railway beyond Mirjawa into Persia was
discussed.
The figure of speech, “ a camel at Hamadan” and “a gnat in
Seistan,■’ was criticised as fallacious. The “ camel at Hamadan,”
consisting of a few men, horses, and baggage, was a removable
offence ; the “ gnat,” i.e., a railroad, would be lasting.
General Macdonogh expressed strong dissent from the
strategical conception underlying the Government of India’s pro
posals, and quoted an opinion of the late Chief of the Imperial
General Staff, adverse to the extension of operations for the defence
of India into Eastern Persia. India would not be able to furnish
enough troops to guard the very long lines of communication and at
the same time to maintain an adequate striking force at its extremity.
There was general agreement that the Nushki Railway should
be continued to Mirjawa, which, at the estimated rate of ] mile a
day, would be reached in about a month, and that it should not at
present be extended further, and certainly, in existing circum
stances, not into Persian territory.
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 inform the Government of India of
the Committee’s dissent from any further extension.
4. A telegram from the military attache at Tehran (E.C.-206)
was read. It appeared that the Armenians invited General
DunsterviUe to come to Baku via Enzeli with two armoured cars.
General Macdonogh thought it inadvisable to accept the
invitation.