'File 82/17 I (F 90) A.P.O.C. Port of Basra and Shatt al-`Arab Water-way' [‎87v] (187/224)

A.
2
to have equal rights to control the channel, and the complex problems and difficulties
which arise thereby could only be solved satisfactorily by the appointment of the
proposed International Conservancy Board to control the navigation of the
Shatt-al-Arab and the Rooka Channel.
5. I forward with this despatch a copy of a brief report* by the Port Director
containing a historical summary of the changes which have occurred in the estuary,
from which he draws the conclusion that the course of the stream is veering and will
in all probability be finally diverted to the Rooka Channel itself. I am sending to
your Lordship with the new survey chart a copy of the chartst : (1) Plan No. 5;
(2) Admiralty Chart No. 1253; and (3) plan showing dredged channel, referred to
by Colonel Ward in his report.
6. I have not communicated the results of the survey or any of the information
contained in the report or this despatch to the Iraq Government, and I request that
your Lordship will inform me in due course of the information which I should com
municate to them to supplement the particulars contained in my letter of the
9th April, 1929, to the Prime Minister, stating that His Britannic Majesty's
Government required further information before reaching an opinion as to the
position of the Rooka Channel. I forwarded a copy of this letter with my secret
despatch dated the 10th April, 1929.
7. In sending forward the new survey, I would bring to your notice the fact
that it represents 660 miles of soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. carried out as an urgent measure, with
respite. The climatic conditions were hot and unpleasant, and the officers concerned
were heavily handicapped by a series of severe and heavy dust-storms. I have
informed the Port Director that I consider that the rapid accomplishment of the
task reflects great credit upon the officers concerned.
I have, &c.
GILBERT CLAYTON,
High Commissioner for Iraq.
Enclosure 2 in No. 1.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
Sir, Colonial Office, A ugust 21, 1929.
WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 28th March, I am
directed by Lord Passfield to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commis
sioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch from the High Commissioner for
Iraqj; regarding the survey carried out by the Director of the Port of Basra of the
Persian and Iraq coast lines in the estuary of the Shatt-el-Arab, together with a copy
of a letter which has been addressed to the Foreign Office on the subject. §
2. Lord Passfield would be glad if their Lordships would arrange for the charts
forwarded with the enclosed despatch to be reproduced and for copies to be
forwarded to this Department and the Foreign Office. He would also be glad to be
furnished in due course with any observations that their Lordships may have to
make.
3. The Secretary of State proposes, subject to their Lordships' concurrence,
to request Sir Gilbert Clayton to convey to the Port Director of Basra an expression
of the appreciation of His Majesty's Government of the manner in which, and the
speed with which, the survey has been carried out.
4. Copies of this correspondence have been sent to the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and Air
Ministry.
I have, &c.
O. G. R. WILLIAMS.
* Not printed.
^ Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
t Not reproduced in print section.
§ No. 1.