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'Collection of private Telegrams between the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy, prior to the Outbreak of War with Turkey' [‎4r] (7/8)

The record is made up of 1 file (4 folios). It was created in 7 Aug 1914-20 Sep 1914. 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. .

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magnitude of these particular risks.
Kitchener that this plan involves the
officers to which you have agreed, as they would be needed
units. 1 his of course is a purely British argument.—C kewe.
1 have, however, pointed out to
abandonment of the large loan of
for their own
Xo. 16.
/ el c gram from 1 iceroy to Sc ere tar,, of State,
dated \Sth September 1914.
Private. 1 roops from India. 1 have just received your private telegram
oi a ester day which has filled me with concern. Although 1 have practically
met all the demands that, have been made upon me even at some risk, there
is, 1 am sure you will agree, a limit beyond which risk becomes a serious
dangei. f nat limit is now very nearly reached. I will now give you my
personal opinion on Kitchener s proposition before consulting my military
ad\ isers who have at present no knowledge of these proposals.
Under no circumstances could I agree to any weakening 0 f first, second,
and fourth divisions in numbers (of) personnel or material. It is absolutely
essential that they should be maintained intact in view of uncertainty of
possible developments in Afghanistan during course of war, and of attitude
of tribes. Only yesterday I received a report of a Mahsud jirga being held
at which it was stated that forces on the frontier had been weakened and an
attack was advocated on the Y\ ana Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . No decision was taken owing
t° absence of one of leaders. This is an example of inflammatory material
that we have on the frontier with which it is necessary to have an efficient
and adequate force to deal. The three divisions are only sufficient to form a
containing force over so longa frontier, and would be insufficient for reprisals
or an incursion into hostile territory. My impression is that Commander-in-
Chief will also never agree to any weakening of these frontier divisions.
As regards forces detailed for internal defence my first impression is that
1 would try withdrawal of the British regiments, provided that with the
British regiments Indian regiments were taken battalion for battalion, and
that two territorial regiments were substituted for each pair of British and
Indian battalions thus 'withdrawn. In this manner internal security could
be maintained, and several divisions of trained troops could be obtained for
service in Europe.
These are my ideas which I give you at once, without prejudice to the
opinion of my military advisers, who have not yet been consulted, and to
whose views 1 must naturally give weight that is due.
No. 17.
Telegram from Viceroy to Secretary of State, dated 19th September 1914.
Private. My private telegram of yesterday. On further consideration I
am of opinion that, provided an Indian battalion is withdrawn to Europe or
elsewhere simultaneously with a British battrdion, I could manage safely for
internal defence with a smaller proportion of territorial battalions than I said
in my telegram of yesterday. This is without consultation of Commander-
in-Chief.
No. 18.
Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated 1 9th September 1914.
Private. Your two private telegrams received yesterday and to-day.
Indian troops. I hope it may be possible to devise an arrangement on the
lines you suggest. It would be a further magnificent contribution from
India. I shall await a formal communication from you before discussing
subject further with War Office. At present I have only a private letter
from Kitehener.—C Rewe.
No. 19.
'Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, dated '[9th September 1914.
Private. Following from Prime Minister :—“ I attach great importance
to Kitchener’s request for early exchange of India’s regular battalions for
Territorials. Most important that high reputation won by our regular troops
with Sir J. French should be maintained, and at this stage of the war a large
reinforcement of them may prove decisive. Matter very urgent.— Asquith.”

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Content

The file contains a collection of twenty telegrams between Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes (Secretary of State for India) and Charles Hardinge (Viceroy of India) during August-September 1914 prior to the outbreak of war with Turkey.

It concerns the contribution and use of troops from India, and drafts on the army; considerations of maintaining the safety of India, and the strain put on the Indian defence of the frontier; troop movements and mobilisation - including the despatch of Imperial Service Troops and Cavalry, and the sending of troops to German East Africa, and Europe.

Extent and format
1 file (4 folios)
Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 4; 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.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Collection of private Telegrams between the Secretary of State for India and the Viceroy, prior to the Outbreak of War with Turkey' [‎4r] (7/8), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/17/16/22, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100028069325.0x000008> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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