IOR/L/PS/11/121, P 1417/1917

Documents regarding the visit of American journalist Eleanor Franklin Egan to Mesopotamia in Nov 1917; Correspondence regarding the discussion in the Indian Press of the future of Mesopotamia; Documents regarding the visit of Indian journalists to Mesopotamia in May 1917; Cuttings of newspaper articles written by members of the Indian press party on the tour to Mesopotamia.

Main documents, in order of their appearance, include:

(1) Minute paper dated 12 Dec 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh, Under-Secretary at the Colonial Office and with the initials of Arthur Hirtzel, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, regarding the visit of American journalist Eleanor Franklin Egan to Mesopotamia, noting that the Colonial Office was not consulted about the visit.

(2) Copy of typescript of telegrams regarding the visit of American journalist Eleanor Franklin Egan to Mesopotamia: 5 Oct 1917 from the Chief of the General Staff Simla (George Kirkpatrick), recommending Mrs Egan be granted permission; 9 Oct 1917 from the General Officer Commanding Force D Baghdad (Stanley Maude), stating the visit would not be in accordance with H.M. Government and referring to an awkward situation that arose on the visit of the Indian Press Party earlier in the year but stating no objection; 9 Oct 1917 from the Chief of the Imperial General Staff London (William Robertson) in agreement with the visit; 11 Oct 1917 from the Secretary to the Government of India (Edwin Samuel Montagu) asking if there is any objection to the visit; 15 Oct 1917 from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf Baghdad (Percy Cox) stating he did not see why an exception should be made and that Mrs Egan’s movements should be restricted if permission is granted; 23 Oct 1917 from the Commander in Chief in India (Charles Monro) to Lord Willingdon in Bombay, stating permission for a 6-week visit by Mrs Egan had been granted and outlining some restrictions; 25 Oct 1917 from the Embarkation Commandant Bombay, announcing Mrs Egan’s departure for Basra 27 Oct 1917, on the Aronda.

(3) Note dated 24-26 Sep 1917 between Cecil Hermann Kisch and John Evelyn Shuckburgh regarding Benjamin Horniman’s article in The Bombay Chronicle on 5 Aug 1917 headed “Early development of Mesopotamia”. Shuckburgh outlines his objections to the article, which he considers could prejudice negotiations with the Allies.

(4) Letter dated 29 Aug 1917 from Benjamin Horniman to Edwin Samuel Montagu regarding the interpretation of a Government circular of 8 May 1917.

(5) Letter dated 20 Aug 1917 from J.E.C. Jukes, Deputy Secretary to the Government of Bombay, to Benjamin Horniman, saying the article headed “Early development of Mesopotamia” is in direct contravention of the Government circular of 8 May 1917.

(6) Copy of the Government circular dated 8 May 1917 written by J.E.C. Jukes, saying “it is desirable to avoid as far as possible any discussion in the Indian press of the future of Mesopotamia”.

(7) Letter dated 29 Aug 1917 from Benjamin Horniman to J.E.C. Jukes, justifying the publication of the article.

(8) Copy of the article from the Bombay Chronicle dated 5 Aug 1917 “Early development of Mesopotamia”, which discusses development plans for Mesopotamia.

(9) Minute paper dated 11 Oct 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh regarding the proposed visit of Mrs Egan to Mesopotamia, saying it might be “of the greatest advantage to us to have American opinion properly ‘educated’ about the work we have done in Mesopotamia, & the crime that wd. be committed against civilisation if our work were wasted & the country allowed to relapse into Ottoman darkness”.

(10) Typescript of telegram dated 20 Apr 1917 from G.O.C. Bagdad (Stanley Maude) to C.G.S. Simla (George Kirkpatrick) in which Maude states that he was originally not in favour of the Indian press tour to Mesopotamia but had agreed in view of the wishes of the Government of India and the Secretary of State, that the situation has changed owing to the advance on Bagdad but he has no military objection to the journalists proceeding to Bagdad and to the battle front.

(11) Note dated 19 Apr 1917 from the Under Secretary for India (John Evelyn Shuckburgh) to the Director of Military Intelligence, War Office (George Macdonogh), enclosing copies of 3 telegrams for information.

(12) Typescript of telegram dated 19 Apr 1917 from the Viceroy Foreign Dept. (Frederic Thesiger) saying that provided a tactful officer is selected to conduct the press tour they should proceed to Bagdad and the Tigris front. He states that the journalists would be well-advised to omit all reference to the political future of Mesopotamia and should avoid casual discussion of the matter with others.

(13) Typescript of telegram dated 19 Apr 1917 from the Secretary of State (Edwin Samuel Montagu) to the Viceroy (Frederic Thesiger) expressing concern at lack of agreement on policy regarding the visit of the journalists and leaving General Maude full discretion to carry out the tour. He suggests Percy Cox could explain to the Arabs that the visit “was arranged for journalists of nearest portion of British Empire which has a newspaper press and has no political significance”. He expresses a desire to avoid discussion of the future of Mesopotamia in the Indian press.

(14) Note dated 19 Apr 1917 from Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Arthur Hirtzel), to the Secretary of State (Edwin Samuel Montagu) discussing a telegram sent by the Indian journalists in Mesopotamia which he describes as “highly objectionable in tone, and closes with an obvious threat”. Hirtzel describes Anglo-Indian journalists as “among the most vindictive of mankind” and discusses what had been originally arranged with journalists. At the top of the first page is a note from Montagu saying the journalists “had better be allowed to go” to the front.

(15) Draft of unsent telegram from Arthur Hirtzel to G of I (Frederic Thesiger?).

(16) Copy of telegram dated 18 Apr 1917 from General, Bagdad (Stanley Maude) to C.G.S. Simla (George Kirkpatrick) in which he relays the journalists’ displeasure at the prospect of visiting old battle fields and their desire to proceed to the front, saying if this is not possible they request arrangements to be made for their immediate return to India. Maude asks for a decision on whether the press party may proceed to the front.

(17) Note dated 18 Apr 1917 from Arthur Hirtzel to Secretary of State for India (Austen Chamberlain) seeking clarification on Chamberlain’s instruction that the press party should not proceed to the front.

(18) Draft telegram dated 18 Apr 1917 from the Secretary of State for India (Austen Chamberlain) to the Viceroy at Retamilla (Frederic Thesiger) handwritten by John Evelyn Shuckburgh and Arthur Hirtzel saying that for military reasons the party cannot proceed to the front.

(19) Typed memo headed in pencil “Memo prepared for the King” explaining the history of the press tour, outlining what was agreed.

(20) Minute paper dated 14-17 Apr 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh and Arthur Hirtzel, regarding the protest from the journalists at Amara, with an annotation by Austen Chamberlain saying “that permission to proceed to the front cannot be given for military reasons”.

(21) Copy of telegram dated 14 Apr 1917 from the journalists at Amara saying their tour has been seriously hampered and requesting sanction to proceed to the front.

(22) Draft telegram dated 13 Apr 1917 from the Secretary of State for India (Austen Chamberlain) to the Viceroy at Retamilla (Frederic Thesiger) written by John Evelyn Shuckburgh saying the press tour should not extend beyond Basra and should be curtailed as far as possible.

(23) Minute paper dated 10 Apr 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh expressing concern that local Arabs might be suspicious by the visit of the press party and that the visit is inconsistent with government policy. It states that “the Basra and Bagdad Vilayets stand on a different footing, it being the deliberate policy of H.M.’s Govt. to distinguish between them for purposes of future administration” and suggests confining the tour to the Basra Vilayet. At the end is a note from Herbert Vaughan Cox, Military Secretary to the India Office, saying “I concur”.

(24) Draft paper dated 11 Apr 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh to The Secretary War Office, saying “Chamberlain … sees no objection to the military situation north of Amara being made the pretext for the curtailment of the visit”. Enclosed are copies of telegrams: from General Maude requesting early instructions; from Percy Cox expressing concern about the effect on the Arabs of a party of Indian journalists immediately after occupation; from Viceroy Frederic Thesiger expressing concern about political investigations by journalists, saying their articles will require “strict local censorship”, and advising against stopping them at Amara.

(25) Fair copy and draft of telegram dated 10 Apr 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh to The Secretary War Office saying the Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) advises the tour should not extend beyond the Basra Vilayet and should be curtailed as far as is possible.

(26) Note dated 6 Apr 1917 from John Evelyn Shuckburgh to Arthur Hirtzel suggesting interim instructions should be sent to Percy Cox “authorising him to hold up these Indians pending further orders, with the least possible delay”.

(27) Draft and typescript copy of telegram dated 6 Apr 1917 drafted by John Evelyn Shuckburgh and annotated “Send” by Arthur Hirtzel, from Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) to Percy Cox in Basra saying “Party should in no circumstances proceed beyond Amara pending further instructions”.

(28) Telegram written 5 Apr 1917, sent 6 Apr 1917 from Percy Cox to Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) expressing concern about the visit of the press party. He says “My deputy informs me that the Indians have come with the natural idea of writing up this country with a view to exploitation by Indians; and that one of them Mahbub Alam … is believed to have been recently under suspension in connection with his attitude and movements in Egypt”. Cox describes the topics raised by the journalists and urges the press party be turned back from Amara, saying “if this is not done I beg to disclaim all responsibility for evil consequences or prejudice to declared policy of H.M.’s Government which may result from their visit”.

(29) Document dated 29 Mar 1917 summarizing secret telegrams from Secretary of State (Austen Chamberlain) to Viceroy Foreign Department (Frederic Thesiger) regarding “measures for future administration and political control of Mesopotamia and Arabia”. The key points relating to India are: that occupied territories will be administered by H.M. Govt, not Govt of India; that Basra will remain permanently under British administration; that Bagdad will be an Arab state under British protectorate; that behind Arab façade Bagdad will be administered as an Arab province and “employment of Indians in any branch of administration to be strictly discountenanced”.

(30) Two collections of newspaper cuttings of articles written by journalists on the Indian press tour to Mesopotamia May-Jun 1917, along with covering letters. The articles were published in the following newspapers: The Pioneer, The Statesman, The Indian Daily Telegraph, The Englishman, The Madras Mail, The Indian Daily News, Advocate of India, Times of India. A section of an article published in The Madras Mail 22 May 1917 headed “The future of Mesopotamia” has been annotated in red pencil “This was cut out of the typed copy sent by the Basra censor, but not out of the original…”. The journalists are: Mahbub Alam, Hemendra Posad Ghose, Everard Digby, John Arthur Sandbrook, Thomas Earle Welby, Mr Thorneley, and Narayan Malhar Joshi.