ملف ٤٧٢٢\١٩١٨ الجزء ٨ "بلاد الرافدين: الوضع" [و‎‎٣‎٨‎٧] (٩٩٥/٧٨٦)

(P 5669)
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 19th July 1920.
8681. Private. See War Office telegram 85641 D.M.O., dated 17th July, stating
that full division from India ordered to embark forthwith, and Baghdad reply of
8th July, asking that it should not be embarked till asked for.
Assuming that War Office have needs of local situation in Mesopotamia rather
in Bolshevik menace in view, I trust that India and Foreign Offices will use their
in-uence to prevent despatch of additional formations to this country (other than
brigade already demanded) unless and until General Officer Commanding-in-Chief
asks for them and until needs of the local situation can be more accurately gauged
than at present. What is wanted is reinforcement of existing units, vide my telegram
of the 10th July, 8312.
An extra division, doubtless weak unit, will give us relatively little additional
strength compared to its cost. The large divisional brigade and departmental staffs
will have to be accommodated ; leading people will once more be ejected from their
houses, or at best the restoration to them (?) use of private houses and public
buildings now occupied by military married families will be indefinitely postponed.
Our transportation services cannot cope with additional strain of sudden arrival
of a division, and private river transport will again be requisitioned. Indeed the
local military authorities already contemplate taking over Lynch’s boats and
(? placing them) under the Inland Water Transport, a course wdiich will involve
immense loss to the commercial community and will be deeply resented. I am
convinced that maintenance of internal order can be far better effected by improving
our communications than by pouring fresh units into the country, a course which
with all its hardships (including rise of prices) and indignity to the civil population
will do us, I fear, irreparable harm.
It will indefinitely defer establishment of a civil Government, a consummation
which I view with great apprehension, and so far from bringing people of this
country into a frame of mind likely to conduce to peace is likely to have the opposite
effect. So far as this office is concerned it would be better to run the risk of losing
control of one or tw T o areas for a time.
If the Department concerned could be induced ( ? ) to go ahead with our
works of organisation, build cantonments for the minimum probable garrison,
complete our railways, vide my telegram of the 9th June, 6948, and improve our
. roads and bridges, the desired result will, I believe, be obtained at one-tenth the cost
of a division and the results will be permanent. Only two areas are (?)
disturbed at present, and I am in active negotiations in both districts with tribal
leaders.
The above telegram is marked “ private,” as I do not wdsh to appear unneces
sarily as critic of military authorities, but if it is desired to use it officially I have no
objection and should, in any case, be glad if it could be shown to Sir P. Cox.
mmm