‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎104r] (212/246)

APPENDIX 398
{By. No. 56665)
legram No. 56665, dated 29th May 1916.
bspatched 7 p.m.)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “D,” Basrah.
Surgeon-General O’Donnell is going to Mesopotamia in order to acquaint
imself fully with the local necessities in all spheres of operations prior to
isuming his appointment as Director, Medical Services in India. It is request-
1 that he be offered every facility for full examination of local conditions
ad for consultation with Director, Medical Services Force “ D,” as regards all
iitstanding questions affecting comfort and health of troops. Date of sailing
:om Bombay will be notified you later.
Record copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. C.
elegram P., No. Nil, dated 28th May 1916. APPENDIX 399
deceived in War Section, 29th May 1916.) (Ity. No. 56693)
From—His Majesty's Secretary of State for India,
To—His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department), Simla,
Tour telegram of 15th instant (Dy. No. 54129) General Officer Com-
aanding, Basrah, suggested Iraq Branch, see your telegram of the 9th April
Dy. No. 47916). It has no independent status is I understand simply section
if his Intelligence Branch created for the purpose of carrying on propaganda
udicated from Cairo. I am asking that instructions may be sent to Cairo that
ny officers sent by them to Mesopotamia should communicate their instructions
0 Cox and place themselves under his orders.
By policy and principle I meant that His Majesty’s Government will
iommunicate through Cairo the general policy to be adopted towards Arabs and
hat this policy must he consistently followed in Mesopotamia with necessary
adaptation to local conditions. Words “his department” meant Iraq through
out the whole, Words “outside Persia*’ which were perhaps unnecessary
were meant to ensure that no propaganda is carried on there without your
authority.
Cox will continue to conduct relations with Central Arabia and Trucial
Coast under your authority and Cairo and Cox will address you repeating to
Cox and Cairo for propaganda purposes there.
Record copy to G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 1, M. 0. 2).
Telegram No. 760-11-32-Q., dated 28tli May 1916. APPENDIX 400
(Despatched 11-10 p.m., received 2-15 p.m., 29th May 1916.) {By. No. 56700)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D," Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
To meet recent demands from Tigris and Euphrates columns I require a
further supply of 100 bipartite pontoons complete with superstructures and a
corresponding proportion of cordage oars, anchors, etc. No Weldon trestles
required. Provision of more wagons under consideration and suggestions for
construction of same will be submitted shortly. Suggest that War Office he
asked to meet all or part of this demand. If local manufacture in India is
unavoidable I invite special attention to my telegram No. 760-11-23-Q., dated
8th May (Dy. No. 53031), and my telegram No. 760-11-25-Q., dated 10th May.
Working copy to D. G. M. W.
Copy to M. S, C., G. S. (M. 0. 1, M. 0. 2).