'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎589v] (1190/1386)

extract jrom Letter from Mr. Chamberlain to the Viceroy,
dated 2nd March 1916.
\\ ill 11 - r? 1 ]on 'untes to mo that the resources of Homhay are beiiie^ a g,'oo<l
al sJ mi n (hi by the arrival ol so many wounded. I wish vou would press
upon the Commander-in-Chief the desirability&f visiting Bombay himself,
it that be possible, or if not, of sending down some high oHicer of the
requisite authority and possessing his conlidence who would report to him
inll\ on tfie condition of allairs there. 1 think that such a report should be
of great use, not merely in relation to the hospitals but in regard to all the
arrangements existing at Bombay for the supply and transport of (he troops,
it does seem'to me a very strange thing that no visit of the kind should have
been paid to Bombay since the war began.
Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 14th March 1916.
1 rivate. our private telegram of 25th lebruary. Medical organisation
in Mesopotamia. See my public telegram of to-day to your Army Department
regarding despatch of Red Cross Commissioner. This was decided at
conference with Red Cross and War Office at which Lord Chelmsford was
piesent. Reports of hardships of Wounded, and deficiencies in medical
comforts and necessaries, are attracting public attention and arousing active
criticism. Red Cross are very anxious to help, and 1 have throught it politic
as well as right to agree to their sending a representative out at once, to
advise them as to how assistance can best be given,.and to bring Red Cross
oiganisation into touch with the Army medical staff. Please see that he is
cordially received and Red Cross aid welcomed.
Telegram from Viceroy, dated IGth VarclTTMUj.^
Private. Your private telegram of the 14th instant. Medical organisation
m Mesopotamia. I can assure you that Commissioner will be heartily
welcomed and Red Cross aid thankfully received.
Telegram f rom Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 4th April 1916.
I rivate. My private telegram of 31st March. Following statements
reach me Ironi different Sources, authority for which is generally said to
be kk an officer,” but names not supplied :—
!. No warm clothing.fsupplied to troops in Mesopotamia.
2 . Resources of Bombay and India generally not fully utilised for
construction of river craft.
3. No hospital ship^ supplied for river use.
1. food bad. Officers arriving Basra supplied only with bully beef and
biscuits.
n. Local medical authorities, Bombay, applied for ambulances to convey
patients from ships/ to hospitals. Application refused and authorities
referred to charity. Authority, Captain Simohd’s reply to questionnaire for
wounded officers. /
6 . Great confusion in embarkation and sending up of the field ambulances
originally sent from India.
7. No one in Bombay has any authority to act. Need for constant
reference to Headquarters causes great avoidable delays.
. \
Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, datty 9th May 1916.
Private, doi.nt Committee of Red Cross and St. John urge that, if you
are organising a voluntary Hospital in Mesopotamia, you should engage any
stall from this country through them. I think this moil desirable. On
learning your requirements 1 will arrange with them. \
it ' ' \