Coll 17/10(4) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎39v] (78/1031)

and he alleged that Zionism was a graver menace than Hitler. The Iraqi
Glovernment had also strongly urged all the Arab Governments to support the
‘ k National Fund ” started in Palestine to buy up land there which would other
wise be sold to the Jews. There seems to be some prospect that Iraq will subscribe
to this activity also.
5. As regards domestic affairs, Hamdi al Pachachi explained that the slow^
ness of the progress in public works, particularly irrigation projects, was largely
due to the lack of experts, and indeed I fear this is only too true. Not only for
technical spheres, but for such things as medicine and supplies, great difficulty
has been encountered in responding to Iraqi requests for British officials. It is
most desirable that really capable Britons should be found in the future to make
j good the present shortage, and to fill future vacancies.
6 . Communism ” has been a topic of conversation ever since the announce
ment that diplomatic relations had been established with the Soviet Union and
that a Russian Minister was to be expected here shortly; but the advent of the
Russian Consul from Kermanshah just before Christmas to acquire actual and
imposing premises for a legation has greatly increased the flood of speculation
and gossip. The wealthy classes are, of course, particularly apprehensive, and
even go so far as erroneously to ascribe the Kurdish troubles to Russian inspira
tion. On the occasion of “ 'Id al Fitr ” religious holiday, professedly Communist
leaflets were distributed in the streets of Bagdad calling for internal reform,
food and clothing for the people and the revival of political life. This manifesto
was naturally ascribed to Kamil Chadirchi and his Fabian friends, who are
generally labelled as “ Communists.” Whoever may have been responsible, there
is no doubt that many educated young Iraqis are impatient with the selfish
maladministration of the ” old gang,” though the former seem to be almost
equally lacking in constructive ideas or the courage to realise them. The discus-
s ^ n j n ^ n gl an d of plans for social reorganisation have undoubtedly inspired
a teelmg that the time has come for some measure of social advance in Iraq. It
might be expected tiiat the ruling class, if onlv out of fear, would itself under
take measures of reform, and I and my staff lose no opportunity of impressing
this on those who anxiously whisper the word “ communism.” That reform must
come is clear, but that it should have to be the Communists, who profess to be
inspired by Russia and by Marxist doctrines, who should lead the public demand,
is a pity. But I doubt whether the Pashas can ever be persuaded to abandon
their present attitude, and 1 understand that Mustafa al Umari, the present
Minister of Interior, is contemplating the formation of a party to oppose com
munism and defend vested interests. Political parties, whether Communist or
otherwise, aie the subject of much talk at the moment, and we shall I think see
their re-emergence in the not distant future.
. r , As 1 have already reported in detail, Kurdish affairs have occupied much
of the Government s time, and also much of mine. There was a violent flutter
m the middle of December, when Mulla Mustafa set out on a flag-march towards
Amadia and Zakho with what wa,s first said to be 250 armed men, though this
igure was later reduced to 85. When asked what he was doing he said to have
replied curtly: Training,” and this did not help to make Ministers feel more
comiortable. Their immediate reaction in fact has been to support more actively
the reorganisation of the army by General Renton in readiness for a possible
campaign against Mulla Mustafa in the spring. Indeed, people like Saleh Jabr
and Mustafa al 1)man are spoiling for a fight.” The Mulla’s behaviour has
certainly been overbearing and tyrannical; and it is a pity that the Government
by the slow development of their policy and administrative inertia, have allowed a
brigand to assume something of the importance of a national figure. His imme
diate neighbours and many of his humble countrymen who suffer from his
exactions and depredations, regard him in no such light
8 . Meanwhile, the Government have taken action, however grudging and
inadequate. From the 20 th November to the 26th November the Minister of
™s"s a HS d a ( i he p n 0 b he b n IT 8 ? Came back certain Concrete
pioposals. Hamdi al Pachachi displayed a most commendable spirit of
conciliation, and eventually forced through the Council of Ministers an order
“sulLlwal Sf B f T z 7 .f nd ,Mazuri Bala from the Qadha of lib^ (m
Ku r d ish 1 Mu tesla ri f^^a \ ^ bl ’ there ? S an ener g etic a ncl sympathetic
. dish Mutessanf, Said Qazzaz. I have considerable hope that this action
may go far to restore the situation in Barzan to normal. Efforts are alreadv
n em p made to transport the 800 tons of free barley destined for the area whic^
has been lying at Aqra for four months; and the mutessarif is himself preplan.
to visit Barzan, a thing which the Mutessarif of Mosul would not dream^f doim?