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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [33r] (65/206)
The record is made up of 1 file (101 folios). It was created in 12 Feb 1919-10 Apr 1920. 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.
I
Kurdistan is split up into two groups, tno pro-Kurdish
party wno under suitable managoiaent rai^ht )>e 4 ro-British ana pro-
Turkish party who are fanatically inclined anti-Christian and
anti-foroi^r • Kither party could obtain effective control
of the country with some extraneous support and we have to
choose between them* If, however, .urkieh authority ia
r -established in Armenian **urdistan tha idea of Kurd!a and
Armenian btales falls to tlie ground*
8 * *unx rous and virile as ^urds are and strong as the
national feeling is they are so acatiered and geographically so
split up by mountain ranges that it is inconceivable to me that
they can be united except under a strong foreign administration
with its centre at bitlis or Van and trend of -^ahozautan feeling
in Middle
bast
(Per.) A Persian custom allowing an individual to seek asylum at a designated location.
owing partly to cu rent Greek, and Italian action
is at present admittedly somewhat unfavourable to any acceptance
of the tutelage of Christian Powers, but is more likely to accept
nritish guidance than that of any other bower*
Action on the spot cannot for moh longer bo confined to
collecting infer atlon and conveying vague asburancos to one
side or the other* It is from a local point of view necessary
that a decision regarding policy should be reached c i
instructions issued by both*
9 * The foregoing proposals may be briefly summarised*
Trebizond and Krzeroum Vilayets to form a single Armenian
~tatc under pro dominantly American auspices* ihe remaining
four Vilayets to form a Kurdish ^tate under presumably British
auspices* Mosul Baghdad and Basra Vilayeta to form an Arab
State likewise under British a us; Ices* The only alternative
(t I ceni see to this scheme is the re-establishment of Turkish
authority over all six vilayets under some form of European
supervision.
1
10 * I need hardly say that I view the prospect of the
extension of our commitments to Kurdistan with no little
apprehension, and should prefer to see America, or even Turkey l
in charge, but the question will no doubt be considered by
His Majesty's Government in all its bearings before a decision'//
is taken*
/
11* I propose visiting Aleppo about ^ Oth a u ne to meet
Major ftoel and after my meeting with him shall be in a position
to make more specific jiroposals if desired.
Ifc* I am well aware that foregoing proposals constitute
a considerable extension of the proposals made in previous
telegraphic correspondence in that they involve a rec gnition
of principle of a Kurdish State within British sphere guided
by British /vents, with alternative of a re-constituted
Turkish Kinpir©, and 1 submit them with all diffidence for
consideration of His Majesty's Government*
About this item
- Content
The file consists primarily of correspondence and telegrams between the War Office and the General Officer Commanding Mesopotamia regarding the conflict and attacks taking place in Kurdistan. The file includes the following related subjects: the creation of the Kurdish National committee and the Kurdish movement; the massacre of Christians in Kurdistan; the reactions of anti-British, anti-foreign and anti-Christian subjects; the various disturbances in Zakho, Amadia [Al ‘Amādīyah], Sulaimaniyeh [Sulaymaniyah], and Kerkouk [Kirkuk]; the British response to the Kurdish movement, with discussion of punitive action and strategic operations; British prisoners, and casualties and deaths among British soldiers; the repatriation of Christians; the armistice frontier in the southern boundaries of the British forces' area in Persia.
Principal correspondents are the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; GHQ Egypt [General Headquarters Egypt]; GHQ Constantinople [General Headquarters Constantinople]; C in C India [Commander in Chief India]; Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Baghdad; Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (101 folios)
- Arrangement
The file's contents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 103; 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 also present between ff 3-102.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [33r] (65/206), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/798, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093314956.0x000042> [accessed 10 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/798
- Title
- 'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:102v, back, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence