'PAPERS RELATING TO THE MESOPOTAMIAN COMMISSION from SIR E. BARROW'S ROOM' [‎414v] (839/1386)

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178 A. Secretary of State for India to I iceroy, dated Ith October 191.>.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. My telegram of to-day about Nixon's plans. Your private letter of 10th
September seems to render it imperative to stop Nixon's further advance. 1 shall be grateful
for early communication of your views.
K o. 180 A. Secretary of State for Lidia to Viceroy, dated i)tJi October 191.).
(Telegraphic.)
Private. Mv private telegram of 4th instant. Nixon s advance. Cabinet, to whom
position was reported yesterday, decided to appoint Committee of General Staff, Admiralty,
Foreign and India Offices to consider in till its aspects possibility and policy of advance on
Baghdad. Political reasons were thought to make occupation desirable as isolating Germans
in Persia, if forces available are sufficient to take and hold the place. Barrow thinks we
ought be able to capture Baghdad, but that forces weakened by further losses would 1 ■
insufficient both to hold it securely against counter attack and to maintain communications.
Kitchener can hold out no hope of reinforcements from Europe or Egypt. Bet me know your
views.
No. 183 A. From \~i(eroy, 7th October 1915.
Private. Your private telegram of the 5th instant (ride No. 180 A). Sir John Nixon's plans.
Commander-in-Chief agrees with view contained in my private telegram of yesterday that
i would be unwise to occupy Baghdad with our present forces.
No» 133 A. Secretary of State for India to Viceroy, dated Vlth October 1915.
Private. My private telegram of the 9t.h instant (vide No. 189). Reinforcements for
Nivon. Kitchener is proposing to Sir John French removal of Indian Infantry from Fiam ■
to Egvpt. He cannot give me definite answer till reply is received. I shall do my utmost f -
secure complete Division for .Mesopotamia. I do not understand why Nixon asks for a ickile
cavalrv regiment. Ido not think one is available, and my advisers consider Indian cavalry'
more suitable.
No. 201 A. Secretary of Slats for India to Viceroy, dated Jls/ October 1915.
(Telegraphic.)
Private. Your private telegram of 21st October. Baghdad advance. Report of combined
Staffs estimates that Nixon has only some 9.000 'Turkish troops and some irregulars to ileal
with for next two months ; that Turkish forces may be somewhat increased by end of vear
and they might conceivably reach a total of 60,000 by end of .January and even larger figures
during 1916. They consider that if reinforced by two Indian divisions from France he might
with assistance of river flotilla face risk of attack by 60,000, but there would remain possibility
id enemy receiving further reinforcements at later date. Staffs hold, therefore, that it would
ho unwise from purely' military' point of view to occupy Baghdad unless military authorities
have power to withdraw troops at once without regard to political considerations if military
exigencies make this necessary. The War Office would give the two Indian divisions, but
could not under any circumstances spare further reinforcements, and are doubtful of their
capacity' even to supply drafts if wastage from casualties or sickness is severe. They think
Baghdad can be taken easily and held for some time, but, as explained above, it might become
untenable later. At present moment it seems that German attempt to break through t )
(’ohstantinople will succeed, and our position and' prospects in Gallipoli are most uncertain.
Persia seems drifting into war on German side, whilst Arabs are wavering, and unless we can
offer them great inducement will probably join Turks. We are, therefore, in great need < f
striking success in the East both to check Persian movement and to win Arabs. It is
suggested that we should occupy Baghdad, giving assurances to Aral) leaders that we favour
ct cation of Arab State independent of Turks, and that we shall be prepared to consider future
disposition of Baghdad in connection therewith. Is this practicable r Unless you consider
that possibility of eventual withdrawal is decisive against the advance, all other considerations
seem to us to render it desirable, and we are prepared to order it.
No. 219 A. (- ieneral is iron to War Office, dated '20th iSocember 191.).
(Telegraphic.)
I have received from my own agents similar news regarding a large force under \ on der
Holts! over a. fortnight ago, but at present 1 do not accept their reports as conclusive' for
Various reasons. Please slate the source of your information.
No, 221 A. d ~ar Office to (ieneral Xi.von, dated 22,id Sore nber 191.).
(Telegraphic.) ^
The sources of our information are secret service in the Near East. IV e had made vaivoim
enquiries, and received corroborative evidence before sending you the information. As t•>
aircraft we have no information, but there is no doubt that the Germans arc sending six.
wireless stations for the expedition to Bagdad.