Minutes of the Mesopotamia Administration Committee [‎8r] (15/78)

MR,OHAMBJSRLAIK aaid that what Bir Percy Oox appeal 1 te
have in mind was that oven if it were decided that the expert
should he attached to him, he uould still he under the General
Officer Coiomanding, hut he would he in a more Independent
position an ho would act under Sir Percy’s instructions and
it would he easier for him to devise special precaution©
to safeguard existing water righto. If thia expert ware
directly under the orders of General Maude very serious trouble
might arise. General Gray was under the General Officer Command
ing, hut so far, Mr.Chamberlain understood, those right* had
not bean seriously interfered with, or rather that whatever
interference had taken place it need not he permanent in
its effect.
THE CHAIRMAN’ said he was rather suspicious of the phrase
ology employed in the Viceroy’s telegram on the subject which
he thought was amhiguouo. He himself ^as in favour of placing
the expert under Sir Percy Cox’s orders.
THE COMMITTEE decided that :~
Mr.Austen Chamberlain should consult the Chief
of the Imperial General Staff before drafting
telegraphic instructions to meet the oaae.
THE CHAIRMAN invited the attention of the Committee for
the consideration of the third point which re^uired their
decision and that was the Command of the South Persia Rifles.
It was evident that Sir Charles Marling thought that the
suggestion the Committee had put forward at their last Meeting
was impracticable and it would leave him in a difficult, if
not impossible, position. Sir Charles thought that the
administration of the South Persia Rifles should be under the
Army Department of the Indian Government. A somewhat remark
able situation had arisen - the Commander in Chief in India
had stated that he was not in agreement with what waa to all
intents and purposes, a decision of the Far Cabinet. Bir Charles
lionro waa now attempting to moke the Far Cabinet go back on
their previous decision. He stated that he ©till adhered
to his own view of wh&t waa necessary, LORD CURZON asked
whether it would not be better for the Government of India
to assume entire responsibility for the South Persia Rifles,
LORD HARDINGE said that he had been under the impression
that the Indian Government were to be responsible for everything
connected fcith the South Persia Rifles, both personnel and
material.
MR,CHAMBERLAIN said it was clear that the Indian Government
and the Commander in Chief.in particular were inclined to
distrust Sir Percy Sykes’ capacity: that being the case,
could the Committee insist on the Indian Government being
responsible for the South Persia Rifles whAle a man in whom
tney had not implicit confidence uao in charge of that Force?
THE CHAIRMAN reminded the Committee that Sir Percy Sykea
had on hia Staff, two experts, on Military matters in the
person of a General Staff Officer, and an expert on financial
questions.