File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎283r] (578/586)

17
SUPPLEMENT.
Extracts from I.ocal Neirspapers.
^°^ era ^ e Nationalist) publishes a leading' article in its
;f n ^ e ? f th ® T 12th November, 1920 (No. 138), dealing with Lloyd deorge’s speech
ni ^ , 1 ‘ 1 ^' ^ s ^ a * es that Sir Percy Cox is now the arbitrator between
e . esopotaimans and the British Government, and urges the former to submit
their demands to Sir Percy Cox, as it is obvious from Lloyd George’s remarks
that Great Britain has determined to confer wide privileges on the people. It
says that these remarks of the Premier should inspire confidence in every mem-
ber of the community who had been disappointed of attaining to independence
and freedom. It acids that there is no room for doubt that the Prime Minister
as decided that Mesopotainia should have an independent Government, as he
knows full well that the Arabs have been living in absolute freedom.
M Sharq (Moderate Nationalist) refers to the new cabinet formed in
Baghdad m its No. 55, dated 13th November, 1920, and states that it is desirable
riiP 'f h ousters to devise mild and peaceful means for removing the present
difficulties m a manner which may not hurt the feelings of the public. It
expresses the hope that the history of the Cabinet will be a glorious one and that
each ot the Ministers will achieve unprecedented success.
Al Istiqlal (Nationalist) in its issue of 10th November, 1920 contains an
article violently condemning the subservience of Damad Farid’s Cabinet to the
Allies, though they signed the treaty of peace they could neither enforce it nor
restore the country to order. They have fallen unmourned, but what will be the
policy of 1 aufiq I asha’s Cabinet is not yet known. Cabinets got up like that of
JJamacl h and s have no authority to carry out the wishes of the nation, nor are
they ot any service to their creators, because the public holds them in no esteem.
The same paper in its issue of 27th October, 1920, contains the following
article on the Provisional Government:
It is understood from Sir Percy Cox’s remarks on different occasions that
the permanent Constitutional Government which is to be formed in Mesopotamia
will be determined by the General Assembly, which will thoroughly represent
all the people of ‘ Iraq. That Assembly will discuss the future of the country,
determine the form of government, elect ,a King and settle other important
matters. It is clear that it is now impossible to form that Assembly, as it is not
possible to carry out the elections in disturbed areas, and as it is also impossible
to be content with an Assembly which should represent some of the cities such
as Baghdad, Mosul, Basrah and ‘ Amarah.
For these reasons, the High Commissioner now thinks—after consultation
with certain gentlemen—to form a provisional Government and to appoint
Ministers by nomination. This Government will exist until the Assembly is
convoked, and the Assembly can then either express its confidence in it or
reject it and appoint another. This news has been circulated and is being dis
cussed by individuals and newspapers. Some of those who aspire to high offices
are roaming through the city day and night, and holding special meetings in
different places in which one offers himself for such-and-such a ministry and the
others for other portfolios. This might have led to disputes and each of them
will have to prove that he is more qualified than the other. We see them hurry
ing down the street, each of them holding his watch in his hand so that he may
not be late to attend a meeting. They have continued this practice with an un
abated zeal, so that their shoes are worn out, the soles of their feet are blistered
and their petrol exhausted.
We find however that public opinion is extremely doubtful of such tem
porary administration which continues to exist up to now. The people were
smarting under the severe orders of the military Government and the orders
under martial law—for these naturally regarded the interest of the army
more than the comfort of the natives—and if anyone complained of bis heavy
burden, the only answer he would receive wms that it would be removed when
the period of occupation ended. He should keep quiet, knowing that military
necessities required due regard to the safety of the forces.
If another person criticised certain arbitrary schemes, he would also be
told that they were “ provisional ”. He would therefore remain silent as.
the word “ provisional ” had created a black spot in his heart which could
not be easily effaced.
The people which has borne these heavy burdens for years and which has
impatiently expected the independence of its country, finds itself face to face
with a “ provisional ” government. !!
We wonder if it can help suspecting this word which has excited what
was hidden in its heart, or if can avoid attributing it to evil ends and treating
it like all the other words it used to hear before. For it has been irritated by
provisional organisations and desires permanent ones in order that it may
threby leave whims and wageries and enter the realm of truth.