File 3360/1916 Pt 1 'Persian correspondence (1916-17)' [‎128r] (260/804)

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(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 6812, dated the 9 th May 1917.)
No. P. B.-679 2 , dated the 28th April (received 7 th May) 1917.
From The General Officer Commanding-, Sistan Field Force,
To—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla (copy for information to General Officer
Commanding, 4th Quetta Division, the Agent” to the Governor-General,
Baluchistan, and His Britannic Majesty's Consul for Sistan and Kain).
_ } k ave the honour to forward a copy of my telegram No. B. M.-373
dated 25th April, in confirmation.
suggestion put forward by the Agent to the Governor-General in
Baluchistan for a mounted escort of camelry instead of cavalry will not only
reduce expenditure, but will be more efficient as a personal escort to the Poli
tical Agent, for the reason that the men who would be enlisted for this purpose
would be acquainted with the language and customs of the inhabitants.
The Begular Infantry that would garrison Khwash would continue under
the orders of the senior military officer, and would be solely for the purpose of
affording support to the Political Officer should need arise/
The reduction proposed would necessitate arrangements for the disposal of
surplus stores of the Ordnance, Supply and Transport and Medical Depart
ments. Surpluses of the first and last will be required ultimately by the Consul
and Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Sarhad.
These two officers would probably be in a position to take over the hulk of
the ration articles. Under existing orders, men and animals returning to India
from this force are rationed by me to Dalbandin, consequently the surplus
rations would probably not be very large.
The motors allotted to this force are more than would be necessary for the
reduced force. It might be desirable to retain at Kacha a Vulcan Ambulance
and one Hupmobile. Owing to the large area garrisoned by the Sistani Levy
Corps, I would suggest that one other Hupmobile be handed over to the
Officer Commanding Corps, and the remaining cars returned to Nushki.
Under existing conditions of travel, it takes the Officer Commanding, Sistani
Levy Corps, about three months to tour round all his posts.
The retention of any motors out here will necessitate British drivers, for
the reason that Indian drivers have been found to be incompetent and unreli
able.
The administration of the reduced force would presumably devolve on the
General Officer Commanding, 4th Quetta Division.
155
(Received with Army Department memorandum No. 7030, dated the 14th May 1917.)
No. 12096 (XIX), dated (and received) the 9th May 1917.
From—The Chief of the General Staff, Simla,
To-The General Officer Commanding, Sistan [copy for information to 4th (Quetta)
Division].
I am directed to state that as recommended by you in your letter
No P B-619, dated 23rd March, the transfer ot command of Sistan iield
Porce'to Officer Commanding, 19th Punjabis, is approved. Captain Hornsby
will remain as Staff Captain to new commandant of force. Instructions
regarding Captain Saunders have been sent. Insiructions regarding yourself
c ? j oTVQi'f. thftsc instructions before handing ovei
command. '
„ fUo cnViWt. nf redistribution and
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