File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎260r] (530/995)

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Military Secret.
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From Viceroy, Army Department, to Secretary of State for India,
3rd September 1920.
(Received 6 th.) 2348
11581. 3rd September. Recent demands received by us for reinforcements for
Mesopotamia on a large scale have forced us to consider whole question regarding
supply of overseas garrisons from Indian Army.
It would appear that His Majesty’s Government is counting on India to provide
a quota of the permanent garrisons,of the mandatory territories in addition to certain
colonial garrisons, including Aden, the Gulf ports and consular escorts in East Persia.
We have received no direct intimation that His Majesty's Government desires us to
undertake this liability; but have received an estimate which shows that, on present
figures, this force will include, among other details, four cavalry regiments, one
cavalry troop, 10 Sappers and Miners companies, 394 Infantry and Pioneer battalions,
one Signal troop and four Signal companies. It is possible this estimate is not final.
We invite attention to the fact that we have not been consulted as to probable
political effect in India of accepting an engagement of this magnitude. It appears
advisable to us, however, to warn you at once of our views on this aspect of the
question.
We have evidence to show that the great bulk of educated opinion in India is
opposed to our undertaking extensive obligations in regard to overseas garrisons, and
the subject has already attracted considerable attention in the Press and on the
platform. The Turkish Peace Terms are universally unpopular, not only among
Mohamedans, but among Hindus. Further, moderate opinion, including many
Europeans, considers India is being exploited in being asked to provide for service
outside India an unreasonably large proportion of troops now employed for Imperial
purposes, since it is clear that no similar demand has been made on the Dominions,
and that all British troops were demobilised as quickly as possible, with the inevitable
result that, in case of trouble, the increased demands must be met from India and not
from home.
Attention is drawn to the fact that India is an original member of the League of
Nations, but it is Great Britain and not India which has received a mandate for the
new territories, and the troops employed are largely Indian. The general feeling
above referred to naturally reinforces the movement among advanced Mohamedans
on. grounds peculiar to themselves against the despatch of troops to Mesopotamia and
Palestine, while it is of course seized upon by extremist agitators, who are glad of
any opportunity to embarrass us. We apprehend that this will react seriously on the
general political situation, and effect morale of the army, and we do not think it will
be possible to maintain position that India is to provide troops from the Indian Army
for this purpose for any length of time. Again, it is difficult to convince India at
large that charges for such troops are not borne by Indian revenues, and this adds
to our difficulties in gaining acceptance for greatly increased charges for Military
expenditure which forms part of our recent budget arrangements. Nor, indeed, are
we ourselves able to contest the argument that obligation for maintaining overseas
troops leads to considerable additional expenditure, since, apart from temporary
difficulties as to demobilisation caused by knowledge that additional demands may be
made on us at any moment, it is obviously not only that there are many items which
we cannot definitely allocate, such as increased staff and inspection of (corrupt
group) and accommodation, but the knowledge that considerable portion of the Indian
Army may be called upon to spend long periods on overseas service will effect
general rates of pay at which we can recruit the Indian Army.
We do not wish to represent that we have so far encountered any difficulty as
regards reinforcements recently despatched to Mesopotamia, though we are aware that
many regiments which have been serving overseas are feeling the strain due to
lack of furlough, and the dangers of political and religious influence affecting the army
are considerable. Our main apprehensions are, however, for the future, and we look
with grave concern on what we hold to be the inevitable consequences, political and
otherwise, (corrupt group) which will commit ourselves to supply overseas garrisons
for a prolonged period.
It must be realised that there are certain inherited traditions connected with
peace service in the Indian Army which have become to be regarded as a right, such