Coll 30/114 'Proceedings of H.M. Ships.' [‎149r] (297/1203)

6# Assyrians in Iraq * Reference paragraph 96 f the Persian
Gulf Intelligence Report for October, an Italian syndicate, the
Vasselli Company of Rome, with interests in Abyssinia, has been
occupied for some time in gaining contact with the more prominent
Assyrians in Baghdad and Hinaidi with the idea of settling
Assyrians on the land in Abyssinia. It is reported that the Iraq
Government view with favour the removal of as many Assyrians as
possible from Iraq# The terras offered appear to be attractive
to the Assyrians, but there has been some unfavourable comment
among them on the fact that there is no mention of nationality in
the proposals submitted to the Foreign Minister* The Assyrians
generally distrust the Italians but many of them are anxious to
leave Iraq and may therefore be prepared to give this scheme a
trial#
(R.A.F. Int* Summary)*
7* Four Power Eastern Pact . It is reported that the
representatives of the signatories of the Four Power Eastern
Pact (Saadabad Pact) Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan are
meking arrangements to hold their first meeting in Kabul early in
1938* It is probable that the Chiefs of the General Staffs of
these countries will also attend this meeting#
(R.A.F. Int. Summary).
8. Japanese Trade in Iraq . A new decree, which came into
force immediately, was issued on 31st October under which Japan
must in future take Iraqi products up to 35# of her own goods
cleared in Iraq instead of the previous 25## This decree creates
great difficulties for the Japanese traders who have little use
for Iraqi products.
Seven members of a Japanese commercial delegation
arrived in Baghdad on 5th November to discuss all questions
concerning the trade between the two countries with the Government.
(R.A.F. Int. Summary).
9. Baghdad-Haifa Road * In Iraq this road, for parts of
which the British Government sanctioned an expenditure of
£200,000, has now reached a point forty miles west of Ramadi
between which point and Baghdad it has been surfaced and is
passable in all weathers. This road is primarily for military
traffic at all seasons, capable of carrying 3 ton lorries with
a capacity of 150 lorries a day# v \ V
(R.A.F. Int• Nummary).
KUWAIT .
• \
10# Some indignation has been caused locally, and it is
rumoured to Ibn Saud also, that the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan Desert Police
appear to be using Nejd and Kuwait as a recruiting field* The
latest information is that the young Sheikh Mutlaq ad Duwish,
a cousin of the young Mutairi chief Mukharib bin Duwish has
received a letter from the British Officer of the Police, who he
has never met, encouraging him to go to Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan .
H.H. The Sheikh of Kuwait is endeavouring to dissuade
any more of the young Sheikhs from going to ’’join up” although
the pay and presents offered are attractive to them#
(P#A* Kuwait)#
SAUDI ARABIA *
11. It is understood, from various quarters, that there
still are rumours, afterwards maliciously exaggerated, that
the Saudi Arabian tribes have invaded, or were about to invade
neighbouring territories#
According