'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎628r] (1268/1386)

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143,974 males, but this figure includes aliens, “ infants ” and “ unfits,” and persons
over 50 years of age. There must also be a considerable number whose avocations
in civil life preclude their employment with Volunteer forces.
4. As regards the remark that the estimates framed by the Nicholson Commission
have not been communicated to the Army Council, I am to remind you that six
copies of the Report were duly forwarded to the War Office in 1913.
That they have not been officially notilied as authoritative is due partly to fact
that war broke out before they had been fully considered, and partly because it was
decided to deal with the Report in detail as each separate subject came up for
consideration rather than as a whole.
5. In conclusion 1 am to say that the Secretary of State for India has no desire to
approach this most difficult and complicated problem in a contentious or
argumentative spirit, but feels it incumbent on him to acquaint the Army Council
with the matured and deliberate opinion which he has formed regarding the basic
principles on which our military supremacy in India must rest, viz., absolute internal
peace and complete immunity from external aggression, it is essential that these
principles should be fully accepted by the Army Council as well as by the Government
of India, as it is only by their co-operation and support that the recognition and
enforcement of those principles can be ensured, and Consequently the ultimate
responsibility for the maintenance of British rule in India rests in a measure on them
as well as on the Secretary of State for India. It is only because he wishes to affirm
;md record this view of the case that fie ventures to trouble the Army Council at so
busy and anxious a moment with the expression of his opinion.
I am, &c..
yfE. G. Barijow, General,
Military Secretary,
No. S.
No. 1072.
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. to Admiralty.
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. ,
Sir, 20th February 1915.
As you arc aware the Secretary of State for India lias been desirous for some
time past of increasing the British force in Mesopotamia, as in his opinion the
military situation there is one not altogether free from anxiety. The Turkish forces
in that region are constantly increasing, and everything points to the advantage of
striking an early blow at their advanced positions before the menace becomes more
serious.
India appears to be quite unable under present circumstances to contribute more
British troops and the War Office have repeatedly expressed their inability to provide
them. I am, therefore, to enquire, whether considering the very important naval
interests involved at Abadan and in the Gulf generally, the Lords of the Admiralty
are disposed to send one or more battalions of Marines for incorporation in the
Expeditionary Force under Lieutenant-General Sir A. Barrett.
Lord Crewe is well aware that the demands of the Fleet are the first consideration,
but as the idea of sending 2,000 Marines to German East Africa has now been
abandoned, ho thinks it possible that the above force might be spared for the Persian
Gulf.
I am, etc.,
E. G. Barrow, General,
GeLrchfH , AdiuliaRr. Military Secretary.
M. 01013. (Secret.)
Sir,
No 9.
Admiralty to 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. .
A d m iralty,
1st March 1915.
With reference to your letter of the 26th February No. 1072, relative to
lesirability of increasing the British Force in Mesopotamia, 1 am commanded by My
bonis Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the
Secretary of State for India in Council, that they regret that no Marines can be
spared for that purpose.
I am. Ac.,
Mhe MtftRu j OucttHh 1 , 1 W. F. Nicholson,
- IjEMUa Qffi^e. f “or Secretary.