File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎144v] (299/995)

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sufScient forces can be made available to protect the line from Baghdad to
Sharqat either from fresh troops now arriving or by withdrawing from Hamadi
and possibly Kirkuk. If we withdraw from Kirkuk the whole of Kurdistan
will of course relapse into anarchy.
Revolutionary movement has for some time past ceased to have any poli
tical aspect and has become entirely anarchic. Ko one appears more anxious
than the leading mujtahids and many of the leading people of Baghdad to put
an end to disturbances which they themselves have created but it is not within
their power to do so. H.M.G. are in a better position than we on the spot to
judge the political effect of the movements indicated above on British interests
'u the Middle East. I can only repeat that whether we are to go or to stay
more troops are requried than those now in the country or on their way. I
would urge that whatever can be done to despatch troops be done forthwith;
that we be told what is the most H.M.G. can do for us, and that the G.O.C.-in-
Chief be given authority to frame his plans, including withdrawal of all troops
from Persia, accordingly.
Eastern Committee are presumably aware that Division now arriving from
India contains no British battalions and you are aware from my previous tele
grams that we are relying more than is either right or expedient upon Indian
battalions to maintain ourselves.
I am shipping down stream all women and children belonging to officers
-of the Civil Administration as soon as possible and as already intimated am
repatriating certain departmental personnel.
Foregoing telegrams has been seen by the G.O.C.-in-Chief who has no.
•comments to make.
Addressed 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. , repeated Simla, Tehran, Constantinople Cairo,
nnd Jerusalem.
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Telegram—Cypher. (Ordinary).
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Secretary of State for India, London.
No. 9906.
Dated 17th August, 1920.
Political situation. Saiyid Talib is making some headway but not much.
The Manager of Mesopotamia Persia Corporation, Mr. Tod, a man of
much experience and in close relations with leading people here tells me that
if matters continue to develop on present lines he thinks it certain that leading
Jewish merchants will leave Baghdad permanently.
I have been approached by notable owing ships on the Tigris to ascertain
whether there would be any objection to his running ships under the Turkish
flag on the Tigris in the event of tribes on the Tigris rising. Notable in ques
tion was confident that Turkish flag would be respected.
It is reliably reported that Ainarah Shaikhs recently held a secret meeting
and agreed in the event of any signs of weakness being shown by the British i
Government to help m its downfall. They did not perhaps altogether mean
what they said and I do not regard them as capable, of united action even for
this end. But the report is significant and to quote Bismarck “ If we do not
prepare ourselves to act the part of the hammer the role of the anvil will fall
to our lot only too easily.”
ft 1
Telegram—Code.
«
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—India Office, London.
No. 99-30.
Dated 17th August, 1920.
I deeply regret to report Lt.-Col. Gerald Leachman killed at Khan Nuqta
on August 12th and buried by his brother officers in Fallujah Camp on
August 15th.
. He was shot dead by Khamis, eldest son of Shaikh Dhari ibn Mahmud,
dhief of Zoba tribe at orders of Dhari.
Distinguished alike for his soldierly qualities and for his strong sense of
•duty and discipline his courage, enterprise and ability had earned for him
both amongst his countrymen and amongst Arabs a reputation enjoyed by no
other political officer find his death is a serious blow to our position on the
Upper Euphrates.
Please inform his mother at Petersfield. I have also wired direct to her.