'Correspondence relating primarily to individual Forces, and not (with some exceptions) of general interest. Force 'D' ' [‎207v] (14/42)

6
82 (4).
Telegram from Secretary of State to Viceroy, Army Department, Simla
dated 3rd May 1917.
My Military Secretary’s letter dated 25th April, M. 12907. Direct
correspondence between Sheppard and War Office. I have accepted general
principle assuming your concurrence, but details not settled pending receipt
of your views.
You will probably wish to see all correspondence between Sheppard and
War Office.
Will Sheppard be able to discharge additional new duties without further
assistance ?
Please telegraph reply as soon as possible.
82 ( 5 ).
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. to War Office.
1V1 - iLyU/ - 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. ,
bir ’ T n 5th May 1917.
In reply to Mr. Cubitt s letter of the Gth April 1917,121/Finance/1071
(F. 1 ), I am directed to inform you that the Secretary of State for India
accepts the general principle that the bmancial Adviser, Mesopotamia Force
(Colonel S. O. Sheppard, C.M.G.), should correspond direct with the War
Office, but he is consulting the Government of India before settling further
details. A further communication will be sent as soon as their reply is
received. 1 "
The Secretary, War Office.
I have, &c.,
J. H. Sea brooke,
Joint Military Secretary.
Telegram from Viceroy, Army Department,
dated 20th June 1917.
9122 lour telegram dated 3rd May, 889. Financial control in regard
o opeiations in Mesopotamia. We have for some time past been anxious
about economic and financial situation in Mesopotamia, because although
cost of operations except normal charges of troops sent from India is
ultimately debitable to Ills Majesty’s Government, we have to find in the
rst instance money, men, and materials, and constantly increasing demands
made on our resources, and we cannot help feeling that the drain is not
wholly foi purposes essential to the war, but includes projects that are really
a mattei of later peace development. We therefore welcome your proposal
to impose a further check on expenditure, and are quite prepared to give
Colonel Harrison who has recently succeeded Colonel Sheppard as Financial
^ 1 ' 1 ie ( ’ the fim 1 ctlons P r °posed by Army Council subject to
conditions stated by you, namely, that copies of all correspondence between
whih 011 R 1U AV ar °n Ce sh ? lllc ] be furtlished t0 With regard to question
w ether Han ison will require further assistance we shall have to refer to
nm, but we shall be prepared to furnish any additional assistance required.
We also submit for your consideration that it might tend to fuller attainment
°; ° bject ^ lf tbere was ass °ciated with Harrison an officer of high
status and technical engineering qualifications with functions akin to
those of a consulting engineer whose duty it would be to report to War
ce noug m\ eminent of India on present and prospective scale of
expenditure^ in Mesopotamia with special reference to works expenditure
ana its bearing on essential war requirements.