File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎146v] (303/995)

London, July 28th.
In Commons Lloyd George said that reason why Arab State had not been
established in Mesopotamia was that.Turkish Peace Treaty had not been sign
ed. He did not think it necessary to review whole Mesopotamian policy. Our
policy was to establish Arab State with which it was proposed to proceed at
earliest possible moment. Sir Percy Cox had been instructed to oo there for
express purpose of establishing Arab State. Replying to Lambert Lloyd
George agreed that it seemed very absurd that British troops in Mesopotamia
had been attacked while supporting Government in establishing Arab State but
responsibility was not ours but Arab’s or those misleading them with regard to
our intentions.
Reuter’s Special Service.
London, August IQth.
In course of editorial article Times demands Government explanation of
rising in Mesopotaima also what prevented our very large Army of occupation
from rescuing Kufah garrison. TimLs also asks for more news of recent trans
port troubles in Mosul. Journal wants to know if excess taxation is true cause'
of Arab resort to arms. It points out that principal risings in Euphrates area
have chiefly occurred in most highly cultivated lands South of Baghdad.
No. 1/1656/2 of 20th August, 1920.
General Headquarters,
Dated 20th August, 1920.
Copies of Extracts deleted from Reuters, 20th August, 1920.
Alarming reports having reached London via Paris that situation in Meso
potamia was growing worse and that Rebels were trying to encircle Baghdad.
Reuter learns'that/position last week was admittedly serious but that more
recent reports indicate General substantial improvement Railway communica
tions between Baghdad and Persia, Baghdad-Hillah and Baghdad and Mosul
have been restored. Times on other hand states that situation is not improv
ing. Line of communication with Persia according to Times is completely
interrupted. Ba c qubah thirty miles from Baghdad has been looted. It is
reported that Colonel Leachman, well-known Political Officer has been killed
at Fallujah and that attempt has been made to murder Political Officer at Arbil
fifty miles from Mosul which report if true would indicate recudescence of
trouble in Kurdistan.
No. I. 1656 of 22nd August.
General Headquarters,
Dated 22nd August, 1920.
Deleted from Reuters and l.N.A. News, 21st August, 1920.
London, August 19th.
Times in course of leader indicts British policy and methods in Meso
potamia. It refers to Government’s massive silence. It expresses opinion
that Mesopotamians revolted. It contends that by no straining of words can
participants be called rebels because they object to proposed Mandate and par
ticularly because they dislike manner in which British authority is being exer
cised. Times is not surprised at this. It alleges that Civil authorities in
Mesopotamia tried to begin where Cromer left off in Egypt. It strongly con
demns establishment of elaborate administration which would not be required
for fifty years together with hundreds of excessively paid officials equalling
nearly half personnel of covenanted Indian Civil Service. Advancing further
causes for origin of revolt Times says that authorities are endeavouring to back,
up policy by maintaining nearly half as many troops in Mesopotamia com
bined strength of standing army in India before war. It asks why reports of
military difficulties and fighting and outrages including murder of Colonel
Leachman arrive from Teheran while War Office are concealing truth. In
demanding revision of policy Times says that Cabinet’s determination to incur
vast outlay in fighting Arabs who reject us and our organic laws seems almost
insane particularly when the money could be better expended at home.