Defends Council of India from Mayo's imputation that adverse features in reply to his despatch of 18 Oct on education was due to them; Argyll believes government by telegraph dangerous in such grave matters.
Mayo will have been disappointed at home authorities' response to proposed military reductions, but 'Indian requirements cannot absolutely rule questions affecting the constitution of the British Army'; Argyll opposed to experiment of large Local European Army; Lord Napier (new C-in-C, India) opp...
Argyll and Political Committee of Council unanimously approve Mayo's proposal to create a new central agency for native states of Rajputana and Central India; Sir G Clerk urges there should not be too many local officers as 'young Politicals are apt to interfere vexatiously with the native Prince...
New claims in respect of home military charges now being made by War Office and Treasury against Indian revenues: 1stly that under principles already admitted India is not paying enough, 2ndly that as India employs about third of the army she ought to bear third of all military expenditure; latte...
Foreign Office fears on policy towards Persia in Persian Gulf, and danger of taking too local and Indian a view; Zanzibar subsidy to Muscat one of very few questions Argyll has taken to Cabinet who are unanimously opposed to it – Argyll thinks it an unjust use of British power; crisis on home mil...
Has made Lady Mayo's acquaintance; Argyll had only one supporter in Council on question of cesses [i.e. local taxes] in Bengal for roads and education; explains legal problem concerning imposition of cesses; candidates for Star of India.
Distrusts evidence regarding alleged unreliability of Madras Army; does not share view that time is coming when Native Army will hardly be needed except on frontier – still many military and fanatical tribes in India; existence of different elements in Native Army positive advantage; fact that Ma...
Need for caution with local taxes while increased income tax is causing dissatisfaction – rate for roads more natural and more easily understood than one for education; Alcock's alarming representations that we should consider agreeing mutual reductions in opium crops; doubtful of advisability of...