'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎203v] (411/862)

HISTORY
294
Arabic words were chosen for its official translation {intidab or
‘selection’, and daulat muntadiba, ‘the government selected’). In
Syria they saw that France as mandatory held her rights from a third
party—the League of Nations—and instituted such form of govern
ment as suited French interests and was acceptable to the League.
Hence, jealous for the sovereignty of Iraq, and the acceleration of
final independence, they wished to substitute a freely negotiated
treaty with Great Britain for a mandatory instrument which they
could not control. This policy suited the British Government, which
was at this time under continual pressure from popular opinion in
England to reduce British commitments in Iraq. During 1922 a
treaty was negotiated amid much nationalist agitation and accepted
by the Council of State with the condition that it should be confirmed
by the forthcoming Constituent Assembly. This delayed the full
operation of the treaty till 1924. The Constituent Assembly dis
cussed the treaty for ten weeks in the hope of gaining favourable
amendments by bargaining, but eventually accepted it when the
British Government (of Mr. Ramsay Macdonald) lost patience with
the delay. The Constituent Assembly added a rider to the effect that
the treaty imposed financial burdens too heavy for Iraq and that the
Assembly relied upon the honour of the British Government to
amend them with all possible speed. The League of Nations Council
accepted (Sept. 1924) the general substitution of a treaty for a man
datory instrument but attached certain conditions. In particular
Britain was to be responsible for Iraq’s fulfilment of the treaty’s terms
towards other League members, to make annual reports of progress
to the League, and not to modify the treaty without the League’s
consent. Thus the mandatory framework was maintained.
The treaty in fact established a mandatory regime. By it Great
Britain maintained a High Commissioner and consul-general with
necessary staff, who provided Iraq at the request of the king with
‘such advice and assistance as may be required during the period
of the present treaty, without prejudice to her national sovereignty’.
This advice was to be taken in domestic and foreign affairs, and in
financial questions for as long as Iraq was under financial obligation
to Great Britain. Iraq should have its own foreign representatives,
approved by Great Britain, at London and in some other capitals;
elsewhere Iraqis were to be under the protection of Great Britain.
Differences of interpretation were to be referred to the International
Court of The Hague, and modifications to the League of Nations.
No economic discrimination was to be allowed against States Members