‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART I. (From 1st to 15th February 1919.)’ [‎143r] (294/396)

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aseertainmg whether he would b“ prspstred to act in a similar capacity for the
Cml Administration of Mesopotamia. As regards placing of orders for mate
rials, engagement of subordinate staff, arranging passage, etc., if an affirmative
reply is received question of terms and rules of business will be taken up.
This Administration will, for some time, be competing with Egypt and Sudan
for men and material m a limited market and common Agent will be of
advantage as tending to regulate competition. Terms would, presumablv, be
on lines or (or) a nxed salary with allowances for additional staff and office
expenses. Inspection charges would he charged in bills for materials ordered.
« '
Working copy (advance copy for information to G. S. (M. 0. 1).)
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
APPENDIX 162.
DIARY No. 10694.
Telegram Ne. 173-W., dated loth February 1919,
(Received in War Section, 10th February 1919.)
Prom The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi,
To The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Civil Commissioner in Mesopo
tamia, Baghdad.
To whom was your telegram dated 5th February, 1477 (Diary No. 10693)
regarding Sir Alfred Webb, addressed.
Working copy to (advance copy for information) to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C. ; G. S. (M. O. 3).
APPENDIX 163.
DIARY No. 10696.
Telegram P., No 10696, dated 10th February 1919.
(Despatched 10 p.m.)
From—The Commander-in Chief in India, Delhi,
—The Secretary, War Office, London.
(Repeated General Officer Commanding, Baghdad.)
, With reference to your 74752 Cipher D. M. O., dated 31st January (Diary
m 10036)’ will you please refer to-Baghdad’s X-4452(?)dated 29th November
(Diary A o, 95617) and X-4386 of 10. h December (Diary No. 98667).
Indian troops as follows asked for by Baghdad.
(A) 18 Battalions, 2 P ioneers, 6 S. & M. companies for two divisions.
(B) 5 Battalions, 1 Pioneer, 5 S. & M. companies for Persia.
(C) 5 Battalions, L. of C. Mesopotamia.
A is confirmed by your telegram but for total of B. & C. gives one mixed
brigade only. Are we to assume that you are eliminating B and reducing C
from 5 to 3 battalions. We should like a complete statement givinsr detail
of large ultimate reduction shewn in your 74752 (Dy. No. 1006 ?) and shew
ing the number of units by arms that you wish us to maintain in Mesopotamia
as the post helium army of occupation, differentiating between British and
Indian.
Becord copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O.-l, M. 0.-3., S. D.-l, S. D.-3), Q. M. G.
APPENDIX 164.
DIARY No. 10699.
Telegram No. 1664, dated Sth February 1919.
(Despatched 12-40 p,m., received 9-15 a.m., 9th February 1919.)
(Received in War Section, 10th February 1919.)
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad,
To—The Secretary of State.
(Repeated to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department, Delhi.)
Reference invited to War Office telegram No. 2550M. R. 3, dated Feb
ruary 3rd (N. R. W. S) in which it is stated that Government is negotiating
with Lord Inchcape for sale of surplus vessels on Tigris.
On economic and political grounds, but particularly the latter, I regard
it as important that opportunities be given to approved British and native
firms to purchase surplus vessels in open market to run on Tigris and
Euphrates and hope that during negotiations this aspect of the question will
be borne in mind. Prevention of alienation of such boats to foreigners after
the war should not be impossible and there are local objections to the grant to
one firm of a monopoly of river traffic.
This refers to your despatch of May 4th to Foreign Office No. P.-1893
(N. R. W. S.).