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Coll 17/10(1) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎450r] (904/982)

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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. .

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J
[0. 68'/.
[K S086/249/93)
Sec r6t
Sir»
WWI&JSii B «t • X •
m’oeil, 'J9g2.
1933 J
His Qovsrxs&ejaii haT© had undar eoasidsraiion
the question of the fature relations between Els Majesty’s
Ambassador and the British officials in the serrlc© of the
Iraoi Oovernraent, which I discussed with You? Excellency
when you were in this country, and to which reference was made
in paragraphs 8 and 9 of sir H« Young’s confidential despatch
to the Colonial Office of the 1st September.
2. ’They are satisfied that the system, whereby the
British ^dvi, ory Staff have hitherto been reapoiiBible for
furnishing Eis Majesty’s High Co;.mi as loner with information
concerning the internaj. affairs of Iraq., would be inconsistent
with the new status of Iraq, and cannot therefore be maintained
in the altered circumstances, such an arrangement, if it
became icnown, would undoubtedly be represented as confirmation
of the suspicion which already exists in certain foreign
quarters that Eis Majesty’s Government, while relinquishing the
responsibilities of the Mandate, were attempting to retain its
advantages* As you are aware* the Treaty of Alliance of 19S0
has already been criticised on these grounds, end was only
somewhat grudgingly approved by the Council of the league after
a most searching examination; and if the system for a regular
interchange of information between Your Excellency and the
British Advisory Staff in the service of the Iraqi Government
were continued, and came to the knowledge of foreign rov/ors,
Eis Majesty’s Groverniiient might be accused of naving retained.
an
His Excellency
lieutenant-Colonel
Sir Franeia Humphry*, G*C.i.*G** G*C«V*Q**
etc., etc*, etc.,
Bagdad*

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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
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Coll 17/10(1) 'Internal: political situation; relations with HMG' [‎450r] (904/982), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2860, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100049057339.0x000069> [accessed 24 March 2025]

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