Papers of the Mesopotamian Administration (later Middle East) Committee [‎13r] (25/80)

MESOPOTAMIA ADMINISTRATION CQMlvUTTEE.
The
nii-ii tte e
Lie Houije
THIRD Meeting of the Mesopotaraia AdiuiirLetratXo.n
waa held in the Lord President of the Council 1 a Room .at
of Lordo on Tuesday, June 10th, 1917, at 6 p.m.
Foreign
Ofiice.
India
Office
The following members -ere present:-
The Right Hon. The Dari Curzon of Kedleston, K.G.,
G. C. 3.1. , G. Ci,I E. (in the Chair)
The Right Hon. The Viscount Milner, G.C.B., G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade).
(The Right Hon. The Lord Hardinge of Penahurst, K.G.,
( G.C.B., G.O.S.I., G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). , G.C.I.E., G.C.V.C. I.S.O.
(Sir George Clerk, K.C.M.G. , GIB.,
(Sir R.D.Gr^liam, K.C.M..G., C.L.,
(The Right Eon. Austen Chamberlain, II.P.
(Sir T.R.Eolderness, G GIB., K.G.S.l.
(Lt.-Gen.Sir H.V.Cox, K.G.M.G., C.B., C.S.I.
(Mr.J.E.Shuckburgh.
Sir Henry McMahon, G.C.V.O. G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). , K.O.I.E., C.S.I.
Major L.Storr, Acting Secretary.
THE CHAIRMAN eald that he had assembled the Cp.mittee to con
sider further the question of the Administration in Mesopotamia and
the difficulties that had arisen between General Maude and Sir Percy
Cox, and, further, the position of Sir Percy Sykes - in other words
ha invited their consideration that afternoon of two main piGstions:
(a) Sir Percy Cox’s position vis-V-vis the military authorities.
(b) The question of river transport and navigation.
Sir Percy Cox was in difficulty ov/ing to his relations with
the military. The Committee agreed with him that Cox was an
excellent official of wide and unique experience of that part of
the world and of the conditions obtaining there, but owing to the
difxdculties that had lately arisen, he had contemplated sending
in his resignation. It had been suggested that he should go to ^
India to see the Viceroy. The objection to this was that he was
bound to be absent for some weeks, and, while he was away, his
duties would be performed by a subordinate who would not be able
to take an equally strong line, when necessary, and to stand up
against General Maude, and that Cox would find on his return that
his position and status had suffered.
It v,as ior the Committee to decide which side they should
take in this difference ox opinion - whether to stand by Cox, or
whether they should give way to General Maude. Lord Curzcn was
sure ti^at the Committee ..ere irioot anxious to avoid any friction
with the General Commanding the troops in Mesopotamia, but this
was a question of policy.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN thought that Sir Percy Cox’s reasons for
not going to India were convincing and conclusive. For some time
past he had heard^rumours that Sir Percy Cox and General Maude
were not working in entire harmony, but he did not think that
tne Committee clearly apprehended the actual point of difference.
was conducting affairs as a soldier, and it was
certain actions of his might excite the enmity
which was most undesirable in view of the establish-
an Arab State... It was not to be expected
would invariably exercise the same tact as one
General Maude
possible that
of the Arabs,
dent in the future
that General Maude