Points out high cost of British soldier; understands 70,000 needed to watch native army and that native army cannot be reduced; asks whether danger of revolt of native army could be reduced by stationing troops far from their birthplace; since Muslim and Hindu troops likely to be alienated, not b...
Irrigation should be undertaken by Govt if possible, by private enterprise if not; hopes work will begin without delay; absolutely necessary to establish new Irriagation Dept; no time should be lost in beginning surveys; trusts other Presidencies, especially Madras, will receive fair share of Imp...
Acknowledges Lawrence's letter of 6 December; willing to borrow for well considered public works, but Indian Govt must produce better proof of estimates; is averse to sanctioning troop of horse for Aden; on Bhutan, is becoming disillusioned with military people in India; is fit again, but arrears...
Comments on Mansfield's proposal to establish Government newspaper [cf Lawrence's letter of 21 December (1)]; explains practise and views at home; telegraph means newspapers often hear news before Govt; at home an avowed Govt organ is not considered advisable, but this conclusion may not apply to...
Two important despatches being sent, on Bhutan and artillery reductions; despatch on Bhutan gives general approval; on artillery, India Office officials think calculations are mistaken and would produce increase rather decrease in cost; Wood is against principle on which calculations are based; a...
Appointment of Cotton Commissioner for Berar which is desired in Lancashire; hopes for fuller expression of Lawrence's views on Indian Sanitary Commissions, and that duties of sanitary officers can be extended from purely military sphere to cover larger towns, in which case a Sanitary Dept may be...
Never believed story about invitations to ball but wanted to be forearmed in view of rumoured attacks on Lawrence regarding Mysore, Bhutan, Oudh, and invitations; Commons' preoccupation with reform means these matters unlikely to be raised except Mysore on which Sir H Rawlinson has given notice; ...