'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎251v] (508/1386)

The unofficial representations of the Admiralty were confirmed the
following day by an official letter :—
“ Letter from the Secretary, Admiralty, to the Under Secretary of State, Tndia Office
No. M./N.S./2S18 15, dated 20th April 1915.
Sir, '
“ I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request that you
will be so good as to draw the attention of the Secretary of State for India to the present
state of affairs in the neighbourhood of the Persian chi fields and the pipe line leading thence
to the refining works at Abadan.
“ 2. It has recently been established by experiment that Toluene can be extracted from
Persian oil fuel in amounts which are economically highly satisfactory. There is a consider
able demand for Toloene for the manufacture of important explosives, and it is, therefore;
eminently desirable that a regular and sufficient supply of Persian oil fuel should be main
tained throughout the war. The stock immediately available in this Country'is limited, and
my Lords therefore desire to lay special stress on the importance of ensuing the adequacy of
arrangements for procuring constant supplies from the Persian oil fields. " -
“ 3. It is understood that the safety of the oil hearing districts is assured, hut that the
pipe line has been cut in several places between that locality and Ahwaz. The protection of
the line wliile repairing operations are being carried out and the safeguarding of its whole
length have doubtless been duly considered by the Secretary of State, but in view of recent '
information as to the successful operations in Lower Mesopotamia, my Lords consider that
the present is a favourable opportunity for drawing his attention to the added importance
attached to this industry by the part it has to play in the supply of munitions of war, and to
the desirability of placing its defences on a satisfactory basis as soon as military exio-encies
permit.’'
“ Letter from the Under Secretary of State for India to the Secretary, Admiralty,
No. 1804, dated 21st April 1915.
“Sir,
“ In reply to your secret letter No. M./N.S. 2818/15, of the 20th April, the Secretary of
State for India is fully alive to the importance of re-opening the pipe line, and I am to.
enclose, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty a copy of a telegram,
(No. 1796 of 19th April) which was dispatched from this Office, A further telegram has been
sent to the Viceroy urging the early despatch of a Cavalry Regiment for the special patrol
and protection of the pipe line.”
Meanwhile on ilie 19th April General Nixon had telegraphed as follows
to Simla :—
“ The Cavalry Brigade now with this Force cannot meet demands which will shortlv be
made on that arm. Despatch of another Cavalry Brigade which should include a British
Cavalry Regiment is requested.
“It is. very necessary that we should have British unit. Tn view of heavy work which
obstructions in river and other works will cause, I also beg for the despatch of a battalion *of
Pioneers.”
To this the Viceroy replied on the 23rd Npril-
“ Regret we are unable to supply any more Cavalry. We are so short of Pioneers that
we are unable to send moi*e, but we could raise a Coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. Corps for you or send Indus boatmen
if these would be useful.’'
This indication of the ideas held by General Nixon drew the following
expression of his views from the Secretary of State :—
“ Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department,
dated 24th April 1915.
“ 1812. Your H. 4416. With reference to Nixon’s request for a Cavalry Brigade 1
concur in your decision as apart from impossibility of complying; the approach of hot season
renders despatch of more troops, especially British, unadvisable.
“ Nixon’s demand implies intention on his part of important offensive movement. I
presume he clearly understands that Government will not sanction at this moment any
advance beyond present theatre of operations. We must coniine ourselves during summer to
defence of Basra Vilayat and Oil interests in Arabisfan. If after smashing enemy in Karun
direction it is possible to advance to Amara with view to establishing an outpost which will
control tribesmen between there and Kanin and so contribute to security of pipe line, I
should be prepared to accept such a proposal provided it is supported by you, but I deprecate an y
plan involving undue extension and possible deminds far reinforcements. Strategically our
present position is a sound one, and at present we cannot afford intake risks by unduly extending
it. We must play a safe game in Mesopotamia."
Major-General Townshend arrived from India on the 22nd April and
took over command of the 6th Division. On the 2-tth Sir John Nixon
directed him to proceed at once to Kurna to reconnoitre the Turkish
position north of that place and to form a plan of attack. (Despatch