'Papers relating to transfer of Middle Eastern Affairs to the Colonial Office and creation of a new Department there, 1920-1921, with Cabinet notes of Milner, Montague, Churchill, self, and others' [‎11v] (22/136)

6
It is hoped that the ultimate provision of passenger-carrying squadrons will
enable the military garrisons of the country to be considerably reduced.
Until a further report is received from Mesopotamia the question of armed
vessels co-operating on the rivers must be deferred.
»
Military Co-operation (Administrative Services).
7. Administrative and other services, such as supply, transport, railways,
signals, and medical services for both Army and Air Force personnel should be
carried out by the Army units.
Organisation and the Passing of Command.
8: It is essential that the areas of responsibility of local R.A.F., military, and
political officers should be coincident.
Military officers within the Mesopotamia Command will be operationally
responsible to the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief in a manner analogous to the
relations which existed between the Air Force and the Army during the war, but
this time in a reverse direction.
The time and manner of the passing of responsibility for Mesopotamia to the Royal
Air Force is a matter requiring further detailed discussion, but, broadly speaking,
it is advisable that the Army should continue to exercise command and gradually
reduce the number of troops in the country as R.A.F. squadrons arrive, until the
R.A.F. has organised a force of eight squadrons. At this period the responsibility
might be transferred and the troops again reduced in accordance with the policy
already outlined. When the R.A.F. attains its full strength a further reduction
may be possible, and this will be carried out under Air Force responsibility by
consultation between the Air Ministry and War Office after consideration of report ?
received from officers in command on the spot.
APPENDIX (A).
Conditions in Mesopotamia.
Three Divisions of Mesopotamia.
Mesopotamia is divided into three well-divided tracts :—
(a.) The Plain—or area of cultivation in the neighbourhood of the rivers.
(b.) The Desert of the West and South-West.
(c.) The mountainous country on the North and East.
Each of these tracts has its peculiar properties from the aerial point of view, and
is inhabited by peoples with well-marked characteristics.
The Plain.
2. The plain area is normally of great fertility, though neglect has converted
some of it into desert and swamp; the latter is unfavourable for the work 3 f
aeroplanes, but it may be said that in general the country is open and of a nature to
assist air operations. The population of this area is mainly urban or agricultural
and their administration does not constitute a difficult problem. The great majority
of the inhabitants have little or no political sense and care little who governs the
country so long as they are prosperous. Their purview is limited to the affairs of
their own tribe. They are quick to recognise the benefits of good administration,
and are willing to pay for it if they get their money’s worth. The large towns!
however, constitute exceptions. In these there is an educated native who, under
the former regime, had a certain share in the administration and of the proceeds
accruing to the official class. This type of individual has been tried in the present
administration, and has been found wanting in honesty and capability. Like the
Babu class in India, he possesses a distinct leaning towards politics and intrigue,
and he may be expected to exhibit Nationalist tendencies and sympathy with
movements such as pan-Islamism, pan-Turanianism, <fec. It is probable, as the
country is developed and additional areas made possible for cultivation, that the