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'B 299. Mesopotamia. Note on Demobilisation by Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.' [3v] (6/8)
The record is made up of 4 folios. It was created in Dec 1918. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Royal Navy.
23. It is to he doubted whether after the war there will bo any need to maintain
a detachment of the Royal Navy on the river in Mesopotamia ; such police duties can be
performed by river boats, and could be managed with military detachments, under
the orders of the military authorities, in vessels managed by the Civil Department of
Transportation.
On this assumption the demobilisation of the Royal Navy might be complete,
boats and stores being handed over to the Civil Department of Transportation.
Repatriation of Prisoners of War now interned in India.
24. Of the 25,000 or more Turkish prisoners of war in British hands,
understood to be in India, probably not over 5,000 are residents of Iraq; probably
another 5,000 are residents of the Mosul Vilayat, and are of Arab or mixed Arab race,
or are Kurds of Kirkuk, &c., and would wish to be repatriated via Baghdad ; the
remainder can probably be best repatriated via the Mediterranean. It is possible,
and even probable, that of the 10,000 who may be repatriated rid Baghdad, a
considerable proportion would be willing to work in Labour Corps, replacing Indian
Labour Corps. A great deal of labour will be required both for military and civil
purposes after demobilisation, and this source, if it can be tapped, should greatly
facilitate the demobilisation of Labour Corps; if it is possible to bring out more
prisoners of war labour from India during hostilities, this process would be
considerably facilitated.
Amongst the prisoners of war now in India are some, both in class " B 11 and " C,''
who cannot suitably be released without security being taken for their good behaviour ;
this would be arranged with the Civil Administration at the time of repatriation. A
certain proportion of the prisoners of war are blind, and maimed, or so diseased as to
be incapable of earning a living; some few are from Mesopotamia, but the bulk are
from Turkey in Asia. Those who belong to this country should be handed over to
the Civil Administration, which will have to arrange for their disposal.
Indian Immigration.
25. It will be necessary on the termination of the war to have a definite policy
with regard to Indian immigration. There will be a demand, which might, if
encouraged, attain considerable proportions, on the part of certain classes in the
Indian Army, for grants of land to enable them to remain here after the war as
cultivators.
There has already been a notable influx of Indian, Hindu, Mohammedan and Parsi
shopkeepers and small traders into Basrah, and only existing military restrictions
prevent their coming to Baghdad.
The question is a many-sided one and is only referred to here as a reminder of a
question which will have to be faced in connection with demobilisation.
Arab opinion is undoubtedly opposed to Indian immigration of any sort.
About this item
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Note on demobilisation by Arnold Talbot Wilson, Civil Commissioner, Baghdad (enclosed in letter to the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , No 20517, dated 28 September 1918).
The note gives details on the two areas that demobilisation would need to cover, namely the repatriation of the fighting force and the transference to Civil Government of those parts of the military administration that could be used for national benefit.
The note is broken down into a number of sub-headings:
- Strategical and Political Considerations: Including the proposal of the need for a mobile military force, comprised wholly of British troops, that could react to any instability or disturbances caused by the previous decade of war, and which could protect India and support reforms in other countries.
- Maintenance in Baghdad of Troops and War Material: outlining proposals for the use of horses, mules, skilled individuals within British units, and mechanical transport for the civil administration of the country.
- Directorate of Telegraphs: regarding the question of whether or not to amalgamate it with the Indo-European Telegraph Department.
- Inland Water Transport: regarding the current usage of water transport for military purposes and the likelihood that once railways have been established it would only be required for fuel supplies and building materials.
- Medical Services: The need to evacuate the medical building established during war-time; the ongoing need for some of the temporary services during demobilisation; and those buildings that might be of use to the civil administration including sanitary and water installations and hospitals.
- Works Department: Effect of the department's work on the civil population, including electric lighting and water installations and the need for it to be taken over by the civil department.
- Remounts; Veterinary Services; Irrigation and Agriculture; Surveys; Stationary Department; Graves Registration
- Royal Air Force: The need to maintain a wing of the Air Force in Baghdad; and regarding the other supplementary activities that could be developed including surveys and postal services.
- Royal Navy: That there would be no need for a naval detachment after the war
- Repatriation of Prisoners of War now interned in India: 25,000 turkish prisoners of war in India, with about 5,000 being inhabitants of Iraq, and a further 5,000 expected to wish to be repatriated to Iraq. The likelihood of many working for the labour corps, and arrangements with the civil administration for security of those who cannot be realised without guarantees.
- Indian Immigration: Need for a definite policy regarding the question as there may be a number of requests to remain in Iraq as cultivators.
The Appendix (folio 4) lists includes summaries of a number of related documents to be consulted:
- Memorandum by the Civil Commissioner Baghdad (Arnold Talbot Wilson) to the Chief of General Staff, General Headquarters, Mesopotamia, No. 18791, 8 September 1918
- Memorandum No. A/2120/31, 26 September 1918, from the Deputy Adjutant-General, General Headquarters to the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad
- Observations by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (undated)
- Extent and format
- 4 folios
- Arrangement
The file contains three copies of the note.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The copy of the note marked '46' is the one which has been foliated.
Pagination: The booklet also contains an original typed pagination sequence.
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B299
- Title
- 'B 299. Mesopotamia. Note on Demobilisation by Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.'
- Pages
- 1r:4v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence