File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎152v] (315/995)

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liim at noon on the 30th that he should pay, detaining him in my office pend
ing evening train to Diwaniyah. At 4 p.m. political office was shot at, guards
killed, and Shatian released, precisely a repetition oi what Imd happened at
•Samawah about two weeks before. The remainder of the police bolted and I
was left alone. I waited 36 hours before receiving a reply to my numerous
wires for help. Up to this time there had been no thought of any organized
outbreak. The rescue of Sha £ lan was merely that Dhawalim wished him
released and to show that their spirit was as strong as those in Samawah. A
■clear proof that tribe had no previously prepared or organized plan for a rising
is to be found in the fact that though the only guard in Bmmaithah had been
killed or bolted, no attempt was made to interfere with me in any way. On
the contrary all Shaikhs north of Dhawalim on both banks came in and did
their utmost to prevent the Dhawalim from crossing their borders, especially
Albu Hassan and Bani Zuraij. On the 1st of -July, £ Abdul ‘Abbas of Bani
Zuraij came and told me that he had met the Shaikhs of the Dhawalim who
informed him definitely that they had since received orders from Shamiyah
and Dagharah to rise. On the 4th of July the besiegers began to construct a
trench system IST.-W. of Rumaithah and to organize reliefs. This shows that
ex-army officers had now taken control. About July the 17th, after the air
raid on Rumaithah, I heard the Shaikhs wished to see me, and arranged for a
meeting in the Madhif of ‘Abdul ‘Abbas of Bani Zuraij. Both ShaTan and
Ghathith of the Dhawalim were present. It was quite evident that they
wanted to come to some terms and were already fearing the consequences. I
■also wished to find a peaceful way out of a situation that was hourly growing
graver; but to put forward terms might be mistaken for weakness. They
knew Rum col was coming and were 7 think afraid. The final result of the
meeting was that 1 told them our troops were coming to Rumaithah. and my
■earnest advice to them was to let them come because any one who resisted them
would be destroyed without any doubt whatever. They agreed on this point.
I then told them if they wished I would go out and see the P. 0 , and do my
best to reduce their punishment provided they took my advice. This was
agreed to and I was allowed to go out under Arab escort the next day. I met
General Cunningham and attached myself to his staff, explained why T had
•come and he agreed to see the Shaikhs if they cared to come to him, promising
them safe conduct. Unfortunately this could not be arranged and the column
proceeded. I think this shows clearly that the tribes had never intended to
rise and were really frightened at the length to which things had now gone.
From various hints I have since received, I firmly believe that the attentions
of the Sharifian group were diverted from Shamiyah, where they were busy
preparing* an outbreak, to Rumaithah. All records including* political diary
having* been destroyed, it may please be noted dates mentioned in this memo,
ore onlv approximate.
P. T. HYATT, Lieut.,
Yo. 0./1890/10.
Genet? a t, IT ea n qfib teb s ,
Mesopotamian Expeditionary Fobce,
Baghdad, 31 st A ag ?/.<?£. 1920.
Telegram—(P.) Secret.
To—General Baghdad.
Xo. 86089, D.M.O., dated 28th August, 1920.
It has been decided by the Government after full discussion, that Sir Percy
Uox should proceed forthwith to Mesopotamia to take up his duties as High
(Ammissioner.
In this capacity he will be the Chief British representative in Meso
potamia, and will be responsible for the administration of the country, but he
will in no way interfere with military occupation for which you will remain
responsible as hitherto.
It is to be understood you are to retain the power of communicating with
the War Office direct.
Xote on Political Situation at Afaq, between June 31st—July 28th, 1920, by
Captain W. F. Webb, A.P.O., Afaq.
Tire Afaq tribes prior to British occupation and during the first few
i onths that a Political Officer was in Diwaniyah, were under the Paramount
S laikhship of Haji Mukhif, who lives in Jilah about 10 miles upsteam from
A faq.
On the commencement of trouble in the division, the whole political situ
ation at Afaq hinged on the prompt detention of this Shaikh, as although he