Minutes of the Mesopotamia Administration Committee [‎6r] (11/78)

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SIR THOMAS HOLDBRHSSS thought that it waa certainly
d^airahle to consult Sir Percy in tho firot instance, and to
ash him what alterations his proposed new appointmont would
make in the position of himself end of the Civil Officers
serving with him*
(^Ue Secretary of State for India was requested to draft
a telegram for the approval of the Chairman, a copy of
which is recorded below.)
2E3 CHAIRMAH referred to the Foreign Office telegram
No.616 of the 11th June, 1917 from Sir Reginald Wingate
regarding instructions that had been received that General
Clayton^ services should he placed at tho disposal of the
authorities entrusted with our Administration of MesopotcJ&ia,
and that he should proceed to Baghdad for administrative
work in that vilayet.
Sir Reginald Wingate expressed the hope that General
Clayton^ candidature for the Baghdad appointment should bo
withdrawn, as a suitable successor was urgently required to
Sir Mark Sykes aa Chief Politichl Officer in the Anglo-
French Mission. He pointed out tho importance of having a
first rate man to succeed Sir Mark, who is now on his way to
England, and that General Clayton’s knowledge and experience
rendered him uniquely qualified for the post. Sir Reginald
said that he was unable to suggest a substitute for General
Clayton, but he suggested that Sir Percy Cox might desire to
retain Mr.Storrs at Baghdad, where his knowledge of orientals
and his Egyptian experience would make him a valuable assistant.
SIR HENRY McMAHON, In response to an inquiry as to whether
in his opinion Mr.Storrs possessed the requisite qualifications,
stated that, although Mr.Storrs was a very capable and useful
officer, he did not regard him as really competent to undertake
this work, owing to his not having been in direct touch with the
high authorities at home on this subject in the manner in which
Sir Mark Sykes or even Captain George Lloyd had been.
MR. CHAMBERLAIN suggested that Mr .George Lleyd, M.P.
might be a suitable man to succeed Sir Mark Sykes, as he had
plenty of brain and energy and a good knowledge of Arabic.
Mr.Chamberlain thought that, owing to the friction which
had unfortunately arisen between Sir Percy Cox and General
Maude, Sir Percy needed, and was entitled to, such support as
only a man of General Clayton’s experience, reputation and
character could afford.
The Committee agreed, in the circumstances, it Was most
important that General Clayton should proceed to Baghdad, and
that Sir Reginald Wingate’s proposal to retain him as Head of,
the Anglo-French Mission, in succession to Sir Mark Sykes,
should not be entertained* They recommended that the Secretary
of State tor Foreign Affairs should reply to Sir Reginald
Wingate in this sense*
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