'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎6v] (12/134)

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(c) Although I am well versed in official routine, there appears to be too
much writing of memoranda and too much circumlocution. Responsible officers
and Directors spend a great deal of time in writing to G. H. Q. or to a Director
and sending copies to the other officers or Directors concerned. To take an
example from Appendix B to this note the P. M. T. 0. writes to G. H. Q. about
jetties. G. H. Q. sends a copy to the B. G. R. E. and the D. G. P. A. and R. C.
These officers write reporte to G. H. Q. and at the same time send copies to
each other and G. H. Q. sends copies to P. M. T. 0. and probably to I. G. C.
I feel sure that more could be accomplished by conferences and personal interviews.
I see the B. G. R. E. nearly every day but I have only seen the P. M. T. 0. once
since my interview with General Nixon on the 3rd January 1910.
(d) Writing impersonally I have formed the opinion that my services have
not been utilised to nearly the extent contemplated by the Government of India,
and sufficient importance has not been attached to the specific works I was called
upon to perform. Moreover, I have been obstructed, and I know that to be the
opinion of Sir Percy Lake who said so in the course of an interview I had with
him shortly before I left Basrah. Ai'this interview I stated that I had felt for some
time that I was not wanted, my work was not considered urgent and my advice on
matters, concerning which I have expert knowledge, was brushed aside^ that I had
up to tbe present the reputation of being a man who would get things done what
ever the odds and I did not wish to bury my reputation in Mesopotamia.
I do not propose to name any individual officers in connection with the
indifference to my office and work, as the orders issued by Sir John Nixon in
respect to my duties are responsible for my services not being fully utilised,
and so long as those orders stand I shall remain more or less of a cypher. I
can certainly effect considerable improvements in the administration of both
the port and the river but not under existing conditions.
(1)1 believe there is cause for anxiety in respect to the maintenance of
communications in Mesopotamia, as there are so many links in the chain and such
possibilities of failure. The evils that may arise from the delays to river conser
vancy work alone can hardly be over-estimated. There are indications of a low-
water season and if I am unable to carry out on the Tigris the necessary
works to give even moderate facilities for navigation, the river may be practically
dry between Amarah and Ezra's Tomb, which I need not point out would be a
tremendous calamity. In the matter of the Hammar Lake, the position is that
had the Marine authorities in Bombay despatched the dredger, pipe line and fittings,
when they arrive in Bombay, in accordance with the Director of Marine's telegram'
or better still, had the gear been shipped direct from Rangoon to Basrah, ^there
would have been a reasonable prospect of completing a channel 150 feet wide bv
0 feet deep (below the lowest low-water level across the Lake by some time in the
month of August. That is now impossible and as there is not time to build a rail
way or a road, Nasiriyah will be to a large extent cut off for the greater part of the
low-water season.
(16) Jn conclusion I may say that as directed I am availing myself of the
opportunity to gather a great deal of information which will be of service after
the war, and when my investigations are completed, I shall be in a position to
report fully on the following subjects :—
(1) The removal of the Bar at the mouth of the Shatt-al-Arab.
(2) The conservancy, on permanent lines, of the river to Basrah, and the
establishment of a first class Port at Basrah, along with proposals
for Administration and Finance.
(3) The improvement on a permanent basis of the rivers Tigris and
Euphrates.
(4) Sir William Willcocks' irrigation schemes looked at from the point of
view of River Conservancy.
Simla :
)
(Sd.) Geo . C. BUCHANAN,