'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎7v] (14/1386)

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Government nor the Army Department, nor any responsible member thereof
had ever informally seen the important document in which Townsherid
stated move on Baghdad witli his then force could only be demanded by
persons quite ignorant of the art of war, or that they could only have
seen it subsequently to the commencement of the move? -
I read your telegram as justifying denial of suggestion which the Times
conveys.
Nixon is being called on to explain.
No. 4.
From Viceroy, Army Department, Oth April 1 DIG.
(Telegraphic.)
We agree that you are fully justified in denying the suggestion pf
the Times. We do not understand the meaning of tin* statement that the
Indian Government were acquainted infbrmally with the strong objections
made by Towns hen d.
We 1 enow nothing of the document referred to in the article, and
subordinate commanders like Townshend do not communicate, either
formally or informally, with the Government of India.
General Nixon, besides being in chief command, was present on the spot
in person.
We do not think that it was incumbent on General Nixon to regard or
forward opinion^ by subordinato commanders with which he was not in
agreement.
We were rightly and dehberately guid.id by Nixon’s opinion alone, as he
alone was responsible to ns for results.
No. b.
Military Department Letter, No. 3333, dated 4th April 1910, to
(Jcneral Sir John Mixon, K.C.JT, A.D.C.
Sir,
1 am directed to inform you that the attention of the Secretary of State
k'' ’ 0 ha. has been called to statemems made m the Bross, and to reports
current elsewhere, that prior to his advance on Ctesiphun, General Townshend,
ihe O. licet m immediate command of this phase of the operations, pro tea ten
that the force at his disposal was inadequate for the purpose.
In this connection f am to invite your attention to the following passages
from a leading article published in the Times of 1st April, viz. °
W hoover knew or did not know Ge leral Townshend’s grave warniu s
of the risk of an advance to Bighdad, these warnings were fully
and repeatedly expressed to Sir John Nixon.” And again: -‘There
can he no doubt that Oeioie lie moved a step from Ivut General
Townshend had constantly declared that his force was iiisullicient,”'
* ^ b) sav that 41 1 . Societal\ f hamberlaui is far iroin assuming the
accuracy of the reports current in the Press and elsewhere, but considers it
necessary that he should have definite knowledge of the facts.
1 am, therelore, to enquire whether any such communications as referred
tu in the 7V;//cs’article were actually, made to you by General Townshend,
and if so, 1 am to request that you will, if possible, furnish copies of anv'
such correspondence that has passed with him on the subject, or failing
these, your report on the statements made.
B any representations were made to you by General Townshend, the
Gee votary of .^tate lor India would further wish to be informed whether they
were reported to the Government of India.
I am, Ac.,
T. W. Hol F.ir. KSs. •