CAB80-8 — Page 58

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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

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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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