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Coll 17/10(1) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [295v] (595/982)
The record is made up of 1 volume (487 folios). It was created in 4 Nov 1932-14 Jan 1937. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2
7. Considered individually the Cabinet has many good qualities. The
Prime Minister is popular and enjoys a reputation for honesty. Nuri
Pasha
An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
has an extensive experience of Iraq’s foreign affairs, and always works amicably
with His Majesty’s Embassy. Abdul Azziz-al-Qassab combines a detailed
knowledo-e of administration with the experience gained during several previous
terms of^office. Rashid-al-Khoja, Amin Zaki and Yusuf Ghanimah are moderate
and reasonable men, well acquainted with the business of the departments which
they will now direct. On the other hand, the Prime Minister is well known to
hold unsound views on the subject of the Assyrians and to be ill-disposed towards
the retention of British officials in administrative positions. Taufiq Suwaidi is
not trustworthy, and his appointment to the Ministry of Justice is therefore not
well conceived.
8. In spite, however, of the merits of the majority of its members, it is
somewhat doubtful whether the new Cabinet will be able for long to carry on
the government of the country, or to deal effectively with the present polftical
situation. They are, it is true, assured of a strong majority in the Chamber,
but this did not save the previous Cabinet from collapse. The presence of
Taufiq Suwaidi brings the support of his brother, Naji
Pasha
An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
, and a consequent
diminution of opposition in the Senate, but there seems at present little
likelihood that the change of Cabinet will result in any weakening of the
campaign of opposition which has recently been carried on by Rashid Ali and
Hikmat Suleiman and their associates. Nor does it seem probable that this
reshuffling of portfolios will in itself put an end to unrest on the Euphrates.
Positive steps must be taken to deal with both these factors if the new Cabinet
are to establish their authority and remain long in office, and I am by no means
convinced that they are equal to the task.
9. At a meeting of the Chamber, held on the 5th March, the new Prime
Minister made a short pronouncement of policy, the main part of which was a
declaration of the intention of his Cabinet to carry on the construction work
begun, but not completed, by their predecessors. Atf "the #arile meeting
Ali Jaudat Beg was elected President of the Chamber in the place of
Rashid-al-Khoja.
10. I am sending copies of this despatch to His Majesty’s Ministers at
Tehran and Jedda,
I have, &c.
„ F. H. HUMPHRYS.
About this item
- Content
The volume contains correspondence and memoranda regarding relations between HM Government ( HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. ) and Iraq following independence, and private arrangements for the supply of information to HM Ambassador in Baghdad from British advisers to the Iraqi Government. The records also document the reaction of 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 Foreign Office to political developments within Iraq, and their concerns over the possible impact on British and Indian commercial interests in Iraq.
The following events are documented in the file:
- 1932. Opening of the Iraqi parliament, formation (and change) of cabinets, arrangements for conservancy of the Shatt al-Arab.
- 1933. The death of King Faisal [Fayṣal bin 'Alī al-Hāshimī], the accession and policy of King Ghazi [Ghāzī bin Fayṣal al-Hāshimī], cabinet crises, and protests against the continued relationship between HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. and the Government of Iraq.
- 1934. Political appointments and commercial development.
- 1935. Opposition group activities in Iraq, tribal revolts in the Middle Euphrates area, cabinet crises, Yezidi disturbances in Mosul, and discussion of the Assyrian question.
- 1936. The controversy surrounding the marriage of Princess Asa [Azza] to a Christian porter in Athens, and the proposals of the Iraqi cabinet that she be murdered, or the marriage annulled; suppression of tribal activity in the Rumaitha district; the coup d'état, and instigation of a new cabinet under Hikmat Suleiman.
The bulk of the volume consists of correspondence between the Foreign Secretary and HM Minister in Baghdad. A number of communications and official statements from the Government and King of Iraq are also present. The volume also contains the following items of particular interest:
- Record of a conversation between Sir Francis Humphrys and Yasin Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Al Hashimi, ff 426-427.
- English translation of a letter of condolence from Amir Abdullah I bin al-Hussein, King of Jordan, to King Ghazi, ff 403-406.
- Notes on the economic benefits accruing to Britain in Iraq, ff 357-359, 367-369.
- Memorandum regarding the commercial interests of the British India in Iraq, with a list of commercial enterprises, ff 346-351.
- Letter from Humphrys to King Ghazi regarding the continuation of private arrangements to ensure the transfer of information between the Government of Iraq and HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. , f 312; with corresponding letter from King Ghazi to Humphrys, f 298.
- Communication sent by Archibald Clark Kerr to the Foreign Secretary (Viscount Eden), on the coup and its aftermath, ff 26-30.
The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 4-5).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (487 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 489; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 4-486; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 17/10(1) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [295v] (595/982), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2860, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100049057337.0x0000c4> [accessed 25 March 2025]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2860
- Title
- Coll 17/10(1) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:10r, 12r:17r, 19r:27r, 29r:34v, 36r:82v, 84r:100v, 103r:147v, 149r:208v, 210r:225v, 227r:249v, 251r:274v, 276r:287v, 289r:297v, 299r:306v, 308r:317v, 319r:331v, 333r:363r, 365r:379v, 381r:381v, 383r:387v, 389r:402v, 407r:421v, 423r:427v, 430r:462v, 464r:470v, 472r:482v, 487r:488v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence