‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 41. PART I. (From 1st to 31st December 1917).’ [‎210r] (424/556)

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6 . The following terms as regards pay and allowances are sanctioned
Mr. N. A. S. Bell—pay plus Bs. 750 per month.
Mr. G. Bichards ) ^
M. A. J. Chase j 1 ^ lus Rs * 560 P er month.
Mr. J. Boy
Captain B. S. Daldy, B. N. B. ) 2,000 P er m °nth,
and in addition, Bs. 10 each per diem while travelling, that is, from the date
oi leaving present station for Mesopotamia till two davs after return to Bom-
return direct ^ ° r Untl1 tiley ietuin to tlleir ^o^^narters stations, if they
in J he Gene J al M 9 ffice r Commanding in Mesopotamia has been requested
nffi-of fac J h iy and assistance to the Commission, and to place a staff
officer at i.s disposal from the time of its arrival at Basrah.
a • se P ara ^ e communication has been addressed to you re^ardinff the
desirability of substituting oil for coal fuel on Bailway and Biver Craft.
Terms of Reference.
1-^ Are the Bailways and Inland "Water Transport Directorates in Meso
potamia; organised and administered on systems which ensure the most econo
mical utilisation of the labour—both skilled and unskilled—supplied to them,
consistent with efficiency and military considerations ? If not, what changes
n Urganisation and Administration are recommended.
(2) Is Mesopotamia receiving its due share of personnel consistent with
me claims of railways, shipping and manufacturing interests in India ?
(3) Applying the considerations mentioned in (1) is the organisation of
railways and Inland Water Transport in Mesopotamia such as to assure that
(a) Excessive stocks of materials are not held.
(b) Demands from the various Directorates are co-ordinated.
(o) Machinery and tools and plant in workshops and elsewhere are
utilised to the maximum extent.
i
APPENDIX 272
{Diary No. 81709)
Word Code telegram No. 4426-ft., data! 13th December 1&17.
(Received in War Section on 14th December 1917.)
From—The Secretary, Indian Munitions Board,
To—The Director of Railways, Force “ D/’ Baghdad.
Your memorandum of November 1st, 0.-477*1409 {By. Wo. 78864)
ix travelling oil tanks were supplied to you from Bengal and North-West-
ern Hallway for use as water tanks. With improved watering arrangements
NWi w 1 ? 6 “T-i bG u ade available for oil fa ei. Indian firebricks tried on
JNorth-Western Bail way have not so far proved satisfactory. Advise you to
mdent on War Office for bricks and clay. Locomotive Superintendent,‘North-
Western Hallway, states that of bricks from England those supplied bv Hick-
reoeivedet 0mi>aUy Pr ° Ved beSt ' I)rawiD S s alld specifications for tanks not
•/ *
Becord copy to M. B.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G.
Telegram P., No. X.-5327, dated 13th December 1917. APPENDIX 273
(Despatched 11-20 p.m., received 12-30 p.m., 14th December 1917 ) (Diary No. 84751)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D," Baghdad,
To—The Director, Military Intelligence, London.
„ (Hepeated, India and Egypt.)
Wire recently sent en clair m Germany by Khalil to Vadbolski has .been
handed over by a telegraphist in our pay. Eollowing is gist of message :—
Begins. Armistice fixed by Turkish and Bussian supreme commands commenced
on 7tk December. Orders to observe armistice have been issued to Turkish
troops Pejvin-Baskkaza front. Please wireless point where English front
begins so as to avoid misunderstandings as armistice does not include the
English. Bussian or Armenian Cavalry are said to have apppeared with English
on Dialha. Please wireless whether this means that Bussian detachments° are
disobeying orders and have gone to English service of own accord. It is