'Mesopotamia. Commission' [‎70v] (143/256)

11
Russia or another Power to occupy Bagdad where British and Indian interests such as trade*
irrigation, navigation, pilgrim traffic, a large Indian colony, and the Oudh bequest give us a
predominant position.
No. 66.
Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated 30th Xocember 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. Your private telegram of 28th November. Baghdad. The words in my
telegram of 27th November, ‘ grave international considerations,’ do not refer to possible
occupation of Baghdad by Russia or another Power, and 1 quite agree as (o our predominant
interest there. But setting aside difficulty of force necessary to occupy and hold Baghdad,
because if we once were there it would be unfortunate to retire under menace of superior
force, I consider that it is premature to take action, which appears to oblige consideration
both by Allies and by Arabs of ultimate settlement regarding Mesopotamia and other parts
of Turkish Empire.
It will be a most complicated matter, and we are not at present able to do more than
assert, as we have, our paramount claims and powers at the head of the Persian (iulf.—
Crewe.
No. 67.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 2nd December 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
Basra: cargo consignments belonging to merchants of Basra and now on the high seas.
We support the proposal made in Sir P. Cox’s telegram of 28th November.
No. 68.
Viceroy to Secretary of State for India, dated 6th December 1914.
(Telegraphic.)
The two following telegrams dated 27th November have been received from Sir P. Cox
regarding the administration of Basra :—
(1) “ The General Officer Commanding and I considered that the administration of the
town and suburb should be a military one while a state of war continues, or at any rate while
Basra is occupied by the Expeditionary Force. In consequence, subject to the approval of
the higher authority concerned, Major Brownlow has received the appointment of Military
Governor, and q suitable military staff has been allotted to him, to which T have attached the
late Consul at Basra, Mr. Bullard, as adviser for civil and local affairs, and Mr. Gregson of
the Punjab Police, for the registration of arms and organisation of local police. Gregson can
at the same time discharge his ordinary duties in connection with the arms traffic. If
Government approve these appointments, I request, that authority may be conveyed to me by
telegraph to confirm them, and also to submit proposals for settling pay. In the event of
Government holding different views from the above with regard to the duration of military
administration, I beg to be informed. It is necessary to take measures for the conduct of
customs, quarantine, and of the civil post office and the telegraph office, apart from those
measures which the maintenance of order involves. As regards the post office, only the mails
of the 1 orce can be dealt with by the military postal section, and I suggest that military
postal officers should be instructed by the Director-General to report as to the necessary
icquiiements of staff and accessories. \\ ith regard to civil telegraph offices and their
connected branch lines, I am asking for a report on requirements from by the traffic manager,
Karachi, at present at Mohammerah on board the Patrick Stewart, who is being requested to
come here for the purpose. On the assumption that the line will be manageef by the Indo-
European Telegraph Department, I request that Director-General may lie instructed to
arrange for the necessary staff to be sent up. In the commercial interests of the public it is
of great importance that the work of posts and of telegraphs should be resumed at the earliest
possible date. . With regard to Customs it has been arranged that for the time being Messrs.
Gray Mackenzie shall conduct them, in addition to agents working in conjunction with a
military accounts officer, but I should be glad of the despatch of a Customs official who should
advise as to future needs. In the matter of quarantine, arrangements will be made by the
medical officer in communication with British quarantine authorities at Mohammerah.”
(2) “it is also necessary to replace as soon as possible the following Turkish
Administrative Departments, with which the Military administration cannot cone
properly(a) management of State property, (b) management of Waqf properties
(c) collection of land revenue generally, {d) collection of those revenues which are ear-marked
for the public debt account (e) management of tobacco Regie. In cases (d) and (e) we are
responsible to bondholders despite state of war, and it will be well to place the management
on a working footing as soon as possible. At an early date I will endeavour to state what
establishment lurks employed m each case and what, /aae, appears now to be required
Some hmg Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. similar to what is commonly employed in the case of an Indian district will
probably meet the case Meanwhile 1 presume that Basra will be administered by the
Government of India. I recommend that an officer of suitable experience and standing
°it ° mha y 01 political, be despatched as soon as possible, together with one or two trained
accountants, for the examination of the working of these branches, and for making recom
mendations as to then- conduct m future. It will be well to select an officer who is likelyTo
take pait m conducting the civil administration at the conclusion of hostilities.”