Will approve whatever Lawrence decides regarding envoy at Kabul; likewise regarding whatever Lawrence and Mansfield decide on Bhutan; would regret reduction of 21s Hussars, but assumes cavalry regiment can be spared more easily than anything; suggest local assessment on English planters to pay fo...
Foster can stay longer; recommends Grant '(the Nile traveller'); leakage of purported secret letter of appointment from Durand to Davies which is inconsistent with Lawrence's letters.
Mischievous article in Indian newspaper predicting annexation of Kashmir; policy in Central Asia and Afghanistan; suggests succession tax – 'a sort of legal and authorized nuzzerana'; suggests slower rate of progress on building barracks, but not reducing space of rooms; Trevelyan's use of cash b...
Is averse to altering artillery arrangements unless substantial saving can be made; artillery 'is the arm in which it is desirable to be strong in India'; there should be excess of artillery over normal peace time establishment since, because it is European, it cannot be increased rapidly; deprec...
Adjutant-General's remuneration: important not to pay too much – 'the greater the post is made, the less likely is it to be given to an officer who has some youth and energy left in him'; balance of opinion in Council on army reduction, for which financial case is overwhelming – 'the Country cann...
Marvels at speed of telegraphic communication; considers Govt financial support for Mutlah scheme unnecessary at present; financial position for current year has improved, but inflation and increased expenditure make long term position gloomy; discusses Assam situation, and possible future line o...
Proposals for army reductions; Council unanimous in favour of expedition into Bhutan if chiefs do not come to terms; briefly reiterates arguments in its favour; Parliamentary debate on Bhutan demonstrated ignorance of speakers and extent to which people at home are misled by newspaper reports.