"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٥٢. الجزء II. (من ١٦ إلى ٣٠ نوفمبر ١٩١٨.)" [و‎‎٥‎٠] (٥٥٨/١٠٨)

50
Arabs are content with our occupation; none Mahomedan element clings
to it as the tardy fulfilment of hopes of many generations; world at large
recognises that it is our duty and our high privilege to establish an effective
protectorate and introduce a form of Government which shall make possible
the development of this country which, in spite of centuries of neglect, is still
the ganglion of the Middle East.
If we allow ourselves to be diverted from this path by political catchwords,
our soldiers will have fought and died in vain and treasure we have lavished
in this country will, in the eyes of the world and of the peoples of the Middle
East, have been wasted for it was not merely to defeat Germany that we came
here.
I think, therefore, that our best course is to declare Mesopotamia to be a
British Protectorate under which all races and classes will be given forthwith
maximum possible degree of liberty and self-rule that is compatible with good
and safe Government to which all nations aspire but so few now enjoy.
Our national characteristics and trend of our policy in this country during
the past four years afford best guarantee that we shall not fail here as in India
to make every effort by the spread of education and institutions familiar to
progress of states, to encourage growth of a self-contained Iraq State.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
APPENDIX 344.
DIARY No. 93061.
Telegram P., No. 9915, dated 16th November 1918.
(Despatched 8-30 p.m.; received 4-45 p.m., 17th November 1918.)
(Received in War Section, 20th November 1918.)
From—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary of State for India, London.
(Repeated the Secretary to the Government of India in the Poreign and Political Department,
Delhi and Teheran.)
On November 13th, I aeroplaned to Khanikin and Kifri to discuss
Kurdish developments with Political Officers. There is widespread anxiety
that Sulaimaniyah should be occupied with a small force so as to save country
from anarchy which threatens them, and which cannot he prevented without
a central Government. Utmost readiness to receive Political Officer and to
obey orders is professed, but the desire is expressed that some display of force
should be made to secure compliance by mal-eontents.
I received to-day deputation representing principal families resident in
and out of Baghdad. Their object was to ask me to urge His Majesty’s
Government to declare Kurdistan to he under British protection so as to give it
the opportunity of orderly progress.
Suggestion by leader of deputation that a Kurdish Confederation was
possible, was enthusiastically received. He explained that Erance’s traditional
position as protector of Christian communities in East disqualified her, in eyes
of Kurds, for task of creating and fostering a Kurdish Confederation. This
was a task of which they considered His Majesty’s Government alone capable.
The necessity of including all Kurds in Confederation was urged.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O.l).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
APPENDIX 345.
DIARY No. 93063.
Telegram P., No. 9869, dated 15th November 1918.
(Despatched 3-15 p.m.; received 8-1-5 p.m., 15th November 1918.)
(Received in War Section, 18th November 1918.)
Prom—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart-
men!, Delhi.
Clear the line.
Will Government of India he pleased to consider views 1 am submitting
to-morrow (Diary Nos. 93054 and 93059) before themselves replying to
Secretary of State’s telegram of November 14th (Diary No. 93053), on future
of Mesopotamia ?
Working copy to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C.