File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎65r] (140/586)

Lisan al ‘Arab No. 18, Juhj 18.
A Great Speech.
1. Delivered by H.H. the Amir at a dinner in his house given to tlm
Ministers and Notables of ‘Iraq, July 16th. g 6
It is a matter of regret to me that the coming of so many deputations has
prevented me from seeing enough of the Notables of Baghdad. Our meting to
mght and on succeeding nights will 1 trust lead you to excuse me In™ me
to congiatulate myself and you on seeing our dear country and I welcome you
holt pf 16 y °h , Specially 011 tlie independence you have gained for this
holy land. It is what our ancestors strove for, before their glory was lost.
Ihere is something 1 have wished to say to you in connection with our present
position and as to what should be done in the future, for the nation awaits from
me some illumination and explanation.
. 1 will begin by thanking the ‘Iraqis for the expression of their confidence
which I have received. My speech is quite personal and has no oflicial colour
but 1 wish to let you know my thoughts.
... doubt you have read Mr. Churchill’s speech and the notification of the
High Commissioner. It is not necessary to give further proof in order to
assure the nation of its future, but I assure you that the British Government
has determined to assist the inhabitants of ‘Iraq to establish an Independent
Constitutional Government, thus fulfilling the promises made to my father.
Vye are working in co-operation with the High Commissioner in the execution
or these promises. Moreover the British Government has declared its readi
ness to help you as a friend to a friend in accordance with its historical tradi
tion. Without doubt we are thus afforded a valuable opportunity worthy to be
seized and benefitted from, so that we may rise quickly as other nations have
done. I am certain that when the permanent Government is established and
the Congress held, that it will look on this matter as I do and that we shall
.be able to establish friendship between Great Britain and the Arabs on such a
strong foundation as cannot be shaken, and on promises which will preserve our
honour and independence and safeguard our material interests. It is my duty
to point out to the nation certain facts, and it is not enough to say that we have
attained independence and then stand still as if frozen neglecting our national
duties.
Our duty is to establish our independence on a strong basis that we may
keep it for ever. It is not an easy matter, but 1 hope with the support and
assistance of the nation and by dint of individuals preferring public to private
interests, and by energy we shall succeed in reaching a flourishing state. The
nation is in need of her sons to support each other and she demands from the
‘Ulama and enlightened people, the citizens and the Beduin that they should
carry out sincerely the duties entrusted to them. We must realise that there is
no independence without mutual support and no peace without an Army, so I
urge the nation to realise the importance of this and bring forward her sons,
for voluntary service in the Army to defend her existence and rights when
necessary, and to guarantee peace and tranquility everywhere. There is no
peace except through the Army, and no progress except through peace. It is
essential that a spirit of justice should prevail in every province. We must sow
the seeds of science in every head, and foster agriculture, commerce and the arts,
which are the foundation of real independence.
I repeat this to you and you must know that I judge men only by their
acts towards the nation and the country. We must forget the past. We are
marching towards the future. The spirits of our ancestors, our friends, our
enemies and the whole world look on us critically. We must therefore take
thought. Let us work for fraternity, mutual support and union. Let us prove
that we are worthy of the friendship of our friends, and may God guide us.
The Men of the ‘Iraq Rising.
2. A letter signed T.A.:—
1 read in your paper No. 12 that you intend to publish a book of biographies
of the men of the ‘Iraq rising and 1 was pleased, for this would be a national
service and you would deserve thanks. But when I saw the names of the
nobility whom you asked to send you their biography I saw that some had no
connection with the rising. Also you omitted many names of heroes of the
rising who sacrificed themselves and gave their lives in the cause of independ-
ence. Some spent all they had and are still striving after it. My wish is merely
the public interest, to bring to life what has been destroyed. No doubt you
will know the amount of feeling of those whom you neglected, they and other
martyrs I therefore demand in the name of right that you should walk fairly,
guide the nation in the right path and refrain from publishing what are not