File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎266r] (542/586)

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SUPPLEMENT.
Extracts from the Local Press.
liie Istiqlal (Nationalist) in its 12th. numbpr, dated. 14tli N^ovember
1920, iuihliskes a speech delivered by Sulaiman haidln at the first meeting
Ox tli0 Electoral Conunittee in August, in wliicli lie objected to the selection
of ex-deputies of an expired parliament to form the Committee. 'The Com
mittee ruled that the speech should not be recorded in the official account of
proceedings.
1 he same number contains an article on the High Commissioner’s pro
clamation touching the setting up of a provisional government. I he -viiter
after expressing his conviction that the High Commissioner is genuinely
anxious to know the real aspirations of the nation, condemns resort to a pro
visional government, questions whether pressure was not put on the Naqib
to induce him to accept the post of President of the Council and regrets that
ministers should have been selected without consulting the people. 'He ex
presses astonishment that the Naqib should not have asked immediately for
universal amnesty and cessation of hostilities and does not believe that the
people will be allowed to exercise their vote freely in the elections.
In an article entitled “ The Arabs and England ” which opens by
quoting a saying of “ Faisal I ” to the effect that “ the period of sacrifice
is not over for the ArabsT^' flYe writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. describes the endeavour of the Arabs to
gain their liberty by fighting side by side with the Allies. “ The Germans
demonstrated their good will in the Brest-Litovsk Conference by fulfilling
all the aspirations of the Turks, but the allies of the Arabs have not fulfilled
their promises”. It is clear that in the eyes of the Allies the weak have no
rights even if they be the allies and helpers of the strong. “This is an obvi
ous fact which has compelled the Arab not to rely on any Western ally here
after, and has taught them that they should not form an alliance except with
one of themselves. If there be any truth in the special reports which indicate t >
the conclusion of a general alliance between the chiefs of the Arabian Penin- {
sula, or that one is about to be concluded, and that they are preparing* to take
action towards bringing about a union among the noble Arabs, the Arabian
nation will be on the threshold of a new era which will guarantee the attain
ment of its object. 'And I do not presume that the countries adjoining Arabia
will stand there as spectators of the great Arabian movement, for there are
ancient traditions and susceptibilities which will i nvite all orientals to unite..
Circumstances tend to indicate that this great event will take place tie-
moment pressure unites divergent bodies.
“It is said that Mr. Lloyd George does not permit the formation of
a great Arab Confederation because of his desire for the goodwill of France
who covets the extension of her influence on Syria, but he forgets that the
interests of Great Britain lie in the East and not in the West and that danger
begins from the Eastern countries and not from France. TV bat we have said
ts not divination but is a fact which will be proved by time if conditior
continue and no scope be given for tlie aspirations of free nations, especially
when foreign hands are encouraging the great movement of the East and
assisting* it. In view of its geographical position, the Arabian country wil
be the pivot of gigantic movements in the Near East. 1
We write this in view of our sincerity; the time has not passed and there 1 |
is ample opportunity. The Arabs still see that England is the only We hex n
Government which can be their friend and ally. It is possible for the leaders | ■
of both the nations to check the danger before it spreads; and thus it wiT Im
possible to restore friendliness between the two peoples.
(Signed) PATRIOT.
The same paper (No. 13, dated 17th November, 1920), publishes a copy
of the letter addressed by the Turkish Heir-apparent to the Sultan abdicating
his right to the throne. .
It also states that the latest reports indicate that a Turkish Empire will be
established in Turkistan and in certain parts of Persia and the Caucasus and
that the Bolsheviks are proceeding- to create an Islamic Empue in A.
MlU The same issue returns to the question of the Electoral Committee and
states that the nation is suspicious of any action which the Government may
take “ for the misfortunes suffered by the nation through the acts of Gov-
ernors under the pretext of national interests have taught the Iraqis a
W™ ’’ Time has proved that the law drafted by the Committee does not
melt populai aspSations. The points objected to are (1) that the principle
of proportional representation has been neglected the total number of depu
4s?s So small and an undue number is assigned to Basrah. (This is a hit
1% * - i wUrv G believed to have-persuaded the Committee to increase
the S numbJ o'f members for Basrah). (2) That the age of deputt* should be