Papers of the Mesopotamian Administration (later Middle East) Committee [‎18r] (35/80)

6
TK5 CHAIRMAN said that the next point which the
Committee had to consider was the question of Mesopotamia
irrigation which was more or less linked up with the question
of River Conservancy and Inland V/ater Transport* He quoted
from various telogramo on the subject. The services of a
highly competent expert ISngineor were required as Director of
Waterways and Irrigation and the name of Sir George Buchanan
had been suggested* It was, however, pointed out that he
is not an irrigation oxpcrt and the salary he would expect
would be excessive for the duties to bo carried out,
Lieut-Col. Garrow who had had much experience in
South America and Egypt had been sent out to Mesopotamia by
the War Office, and both General Maude and Sir Percy Cox
agree that Colonel Garrow, if qualified, would be a suitable
man for tho post. The War Office evidently had a very high
opinion of this Officer, but if he were appointed it would be
necessary to have it made quite clear whether he would be
attached to the Civil Administration or be under the General
Officer Commanding, as General Maude desired.
MHo CHAMBERLAIN thought that the Chief of Imperial General
Staff should be consulted. He himself agreed with Sir Percy
Cox’s views« If Colonel Garrow went to Mesopotamia in a
purely military capacity difficulties might arise as he might
be inclined to disregard Arab water rights and he might not
consider fully the permanent effect on irrigation problems of
any temporary expedient.
TEE CHAIRMAN said he was not quite certain what the
actual situation v/aS j He had the impression that General Gray
and Colonel Hughes were in Mesopotamia to deal with those
questions and he wished to know if they had been superseded.
MRe CHAMBERLAIN explained that Sir George Buchanan had
been sent cut in the early days but that he had not been able
to work cordially with General Nixon. The V, T ar Office
were now sending, out Colonel Garrow to assist General Gray
in matters connected with River Conservancy. General Gray
was the Local Commanding Officer, Inleird Water Transport Depart
ment.
SIR THOMAS H0LDERN.ES3 pointed out that Colonel Garrow was
a Conservancy Engineer and not an expert on irrigation. Ho
thotight that an irrigation specialist should be sent to Mesopotamia
from India or Egypt in order to prevent any interference with
the existing system of water rights.
THE CHAIRMAN drew attention to the fact that Colonel Garrow
was proceeding to Mesopotamia not to act as a subordinate of
General Gray but as tho Conservancy expert and his powers and
position had to be dotormined*
SIR THOMAS H0LDERN3SS thought that the first question was
should Sir George Buchanan bo sent back to Mesopotamia, after making
his report, as General Advisor on irrigation, conservancy and
water transport. It was quite clear that both General Maude and
Sir Percy Cox wore in need of an Expert Adviser on irrigation and
conservancy, and a further question was, should this expert be
under Sir Percy Cox or be attached to General Maude’s Staff?