‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 43. PART I. (From 1st to 14th November 1917.)’ [‎182r] (368/500)

Telegram P., dated 9th February 1918.
(Despatched 11-25 p.m., received 3-25 p.m., 10th February 191^.)
(Received in *War Section, 11th February 1918.)
From—The Secretary of State for India,
To—The Viceroy (Foreign and Political' Department).
(Repeated to Cox.)
appendix 212-A
(Dy. No, 11388)
Whole Persian situation has been carefully reviewed hv TT; a m -v , .
Government in the light of Minister’s telegrams Nos. 80 (DvNo
J«3)of3rd m d 6th PebruV M d „° orr fS m “ d
It is considered essential on general military grounds to maintain communt
cations with Caucasus via Kermanshah-Enzeli road Tho V^a-n Ulll 1
Brigade is the only force available for this purpose"' I^efficTen" d^pTuds
entirely on its officers. The Russian officers may disappear at any moment in
winch case replacement by British officers is considered essential. Hence Hk
Majesty s Government are disposed to make the Persian Government an offer
m nature of bargain, by which we should undertake to withdraw all regular
troops now m Central Persia who have been co-operating with South Persia
Mes m return for recognition of South Persia Rifles and acceptance of
British officers for Cossack Brigade for the period of the war Such an
arrangement might, it is thought, be acceptable to Persian Government, as
putting them m a position to claim that their rights as neutral State had been
vindicated and Persian soil evacuated by foreign troops. Withdrawal would,
ot course, he earned out gradually and would not affect operations in west
based on Mesopotamia nor apply to Bushire, Bandar Abbas, Jask or Charbar,
or to me Eastern Cordon. Stokes is suggested for command of Cossack
tfngade, other officers being mainly supplied from Dunsterville’s party en route
. In view of policy of conciliation towards Persian Nationalists
wnicn x our Excellency’s Government have advocated for some time past such
a resolution will presumably meet with your support. I, however, should be
g aa to receive your views before Eoreign Office address Marling officially,
ease telegraph your reply as soon as possible. Please repeat to Tehran.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
^opy to M. S. G, A. G., Q, M. G., G. S. (M. O. 3, S. D. 1).
Word Code telegram No. R.-3636, dated 9th February 1918. APPENDIX 213
(Despatched 8-20 p m., received 12-30 p. M „ 11 th February 1918.) (J)y, No. 11433)
From —The Deputy Adjutant General, 3 rd Echelon, Basrah,
To—*The War Section, Army Headquarters, Delhi.
In continuation my telegram January 9th, E.-3305 (Du. N/o 931)
Requirements are as follows '
Direction and Management European Office Superintendents 2, Divisional
clerks 6, suggested Mathra. Das, Head clerk, Headquarters District North-
Western Railway; Sub-Divisional clerks 6, construction clerks 4 for Directors
Office. Total 18. Must be experienced men.
Pay Accounts and Audit Department Accountants 7, travelling inspectors
accounts 1, stock verifiers 3, accounts clerks 9, total 20.
Railway Depot European Office Superintendent X, must be European,
iotal 1.
Engineering Department Inspector of Permanent-way 5, plane tablers 6,
supervisors 10, overseers 10, sub-overseers 10, European Office Superintendents
2, Divisional and Sub-Divisional clerks 14, Head Supervising draughtsmen 4,
must be Europeans. Draughtsmen 8, urgent. Bricklayers 30, brickmoulders
30, boatmen 25, gangmen and labourers 5,320, toolsmitbs 2, divers 2, work
shop foreman 1, blacksmith foreman 1, fitters foreman 1, carpenters chargeman
1, blacksmith chargeman 1, fitter cbargeman 1, total 5,484. Office Superin
tendents must be Europeans and first class men. Eoremen and cbargemen
also must be Europeans and first class men with Indian experience. Gangmen
and labourers urgently required should include at least 200 fully trained
permament way gang mates. Mates for labourers not required.
Locomotive Department machine shop foreman 1, knowledge of modern
high speed machine tools essential. Erecting ship foremen 2, millwright fore
men 2, suggested Mr. G. C. Murray, Perambore, Madras Railway, who is most
urgently required in connection with oil fuel conversion work.
Smiths shop foreman 1, knowledge of spring work essential.
Loco. Storekeeper 1, Mr. J B B ? Rego, late Loco. Storekeeper, Madras
Railway.