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5.
(e) On the conclusion of the actual operations,
the Government of India intend to transfer control of the Ahmadzai Salient to civil forces.
(f) Active preparations for these operations are
proceeding and the Government of India arait authority to start.
Conclusions.
From the Imperial point of view, the fever the
military forces that have to be locked up for local
reasons the better. The growth of a local operation into a major campaign would be a serious matter, in that it might affect the availability of forces in India for
other purposes.
6.
It is an undoubted fact that the situation in
45
the Bannu area is now bad. In the opinion of the Government
of India it is intolerable and calls for immediate
military action.
7. No one can guarantee that military operations begun on a small scale will not grow to much larger dimensions and this applies especially to the North West Frontier of India. On the other hand, if a deteriorating situation is not dealt with promptly, the use of a consider- ably greater force is likely to be required to restore it
at a later stage.
8.
is
The immediate point at issue, therefore, quite clear. It is to decide which of these two dangers is the greater that of a small commitment undertaken now becoming a large one, or that of inaction now giving rise to a still larger commitment later.
9.
We understand from the Telegrams which have passed
Annexes 1 and 2.
~3~
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