'Disposal of conquered territories [Mesopotamia and German East Africa]. Note by India Office' [‎119r] (3/8)

2. Above all, India has a strategic intereet in
Mesopotamia. The story of German penetration in the
direction of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. - the celebrated "Berlin-
Baghdad* project - is well known. It was recognised
even beiort the war as a direct menace to our position in
Indiaj^. By good fortune the enemy designs were still
incomplete when the war broke out. We were able,
within a rery few weeks of Turkey's intervention, to
occupy Basra; and have since pushed our front northwards
far beyond Baghdad. It is essential that our rivals
should in no circumstances and under no condition what
soever be permitted to resume their operations after the
war. A barrier must be set up in Mesopotamia, whatever
its precise form, that will effectually close the land
line to the head of the Gulf against any potential enemy
of the British Empire.
4. If this object is to be achieved, it may be
regarded as axiamatic (1) that no part of Mesopotamia
must be restored to the Turks; and (2) that the
conquered territories must remain under effective British
control. The simplest plan would be to annex the whole
area, or at any rate the portions of it lying nearest
the Gulf, to the British Crown, and to administer the
country as a British possession. But if this is
impracticable - as is understood to be the accepted view -
and the only alternative is to set up an Arab State under
British protection, we must at least ensure that our
A.
protection is real and exclusive, and that it leaves no
opening for the machinations of foreign Powers. ^e need
be under no illusions as to the ability of an Arab
administration