§ Earl WINTERTON (by Private Notice)asked the Secretary of State for War whether rail communication between Basra and Baghdad, which was cut as a result of the recent rising, has yet been repaired; how many British and Indian casualties, respectively, have been caused in the recent fighting, and what losses of war material and rolling stock have resulted from the attacks made by the insurrectionists on the British military armoured and other trains?
§ 57. Brigadier-General SURTEESasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has received any confirmation regarding the attack by Arabs with regard to the cutting of the Baghdad Railway and the isolation of and attack on a considerable body of British forces; whether such Arabs belong to the Arabic rulers who were subsidised by this country and India; and what steps are being taken to prevent serious native uprisings?
§ 127. Mr. ORMSBY-GOREasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any further information regarding the operations at Samawah and Rumeitha; what was the strength of the isolated garrison before the outbreak; and whether the sheikh whose arrest led to the rebellion had previously been in receipt of a subsidy from the British administration?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Churchill)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. It is understood that there was no British garrison at Rumeitha before the outbreak, but that a company of Indian infantry proceeded there on receiving news of the attack on the Government buildings, and before the 2577 railway was cut. I am informed that there is no reason to connect the rising with Arab rulers who were subsidised by this country or India, and that, as far as is known, the sheikh in question was not in receipt of a subsidy.
Perhaps I may be allowed to say that the latest information received is to the following effect: Military operations are in progress, but are hampered by shortage of rolling stock, six trains in all having been captured or derailed between Samawah and Diwaniyah. Detachments at Samawah and Rumeitha are isolated. Line has been cut, in addition, above Diwaniyah, but not seriously. Troops at Rumeitha have suffered heavy casualties, and detachment sent in relief has also suffered severely, and are 15 miles from Rumeitha. I may add that the situation in the Shamiyah district and in the Nasiriyh district is reported to be delicate. It will, of course, be understood that neither of the forces mentioned is a large one. No report of any British casualties has been received to date.
§ Earl WINTERTONAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that this very serious situation is in operation, namely, that the rail communication is cut between Basra and Baghdad, and has been for several days, and that the forces on the spot are not in a position to repair it, owing to their inferior position to the enemy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes, I think that would be a perfectly fair statement. The railway communication is interrupted at many places on the line, and a large district is in a state of great disorder, and the small local relief column that has so far advanced has not been able to cope with the disorder. A considerable force is now moving downwards from Baghdad. In addition, I have felt it necessary to ask the Indian Government to warn, in case of emergency, further forces to be dispatched to the scene. The communications of the Army in Mesopotamia can, however, to a very large extent, be maintained by the River Euphrates, and are not dependent upon the actual movement of trains along the railways. There is, therefore, no reason to suppose that, if sufficient exertion is made, order cannot be fully re-established.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODHas the right hon. Gentleman any idea what caused 2578 this disturbance? Will he consider the appointment of a committee to inquire?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not see how a committee would help at this stage.
An HON. MEMBERAre some of these casualties due to the very intense heat at the present time, and are proper steps being taken to mitigate the undue effect of the heat?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have given the House all the information in my possession.
§ Earl WINTERTONMay I ask the Leader of the House, in view of the serious nature of the information, whether he will consider the advisability of making a statement at the meeting of the House to-morrow, either by moving the Adjournment at the beginning or at the close, in view of the fact that Baghdad is isolated by rail?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not see what object would be met by making a statement if I have no further information to give. If we have any further information we shall certainly give it.