IOR/L/PS/18/B246

The item consists of:

• Extract from Lord Chelmsford (Frederick John Napier Thesiger)'s private letter of 18 October 1916: regarding the Government of India's existing responsibilities in relation to Mesopotamia; the likelihood of those responsibilities increasing; whether it might be possible to dissociate India from the administration of Mesopotamia; India's involvement in the Persian Gulf; India's likely future involvement with Basrah [Basra]; and Lord Chelmsford's vision for a largely independent administration in Mesopotamia, with India controlling external relations and military operations.
• Memoranda on the future administration of Mesopotamia, prepared at Mr Chamberlain's request, by Sir Thomas William Holderness, 9 January 1917: Regarding the potential need for a new agency, instead of the Government of India, to be responsible for territory in Southern Mesopotamia and agreements with Arab States that might be acquired at the outcome of the war (World War One); and the possible requirements and implications of administering such an area.
• Notes by Sir (Frederic) Arthur Hirtzel, 30 December 1916: regarding the need for a new dependency to be created, to include Arabia, Egypt, and the Soudan [Sudan]; the expected future role of the British Government in the Persian Gulf; and the likely need for the Government of India to take on responsibilities in Southern Persia.