File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎153v] (317/995)

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wlio is the puppet of Haji Mukliif, commenced to build‘a Qahah and pestered
the A.P.O. to give a decision over a land case, which, however, it was decided,
would have ended in a tribal fight, the result of which would have been tribal
fighting involving the whole district.
Ghawi, Haiwawi, and ‘Abdul Karim were sent for and were told they
were on no account to leave Afaq—Kasan al Shabib was informed that the land
would be fallow and that no water would be given to either side. For a time
a tribai fight was avoided, but Saiyid Ha shim, who throughout kept the A.P.O.
informed of tribal affairs, soon after told him that if troops did not arrive at
once in Diwaniyah, the Shaikhs would lose control over certain sections of
their tribes.
The Brigade arrived in time, but not before the A.P.O., Afaq, had one
most unpleasant night, being ‘ shut up ’ in his bungalow presumably by Haji
Sallal’s friends.
On that night the Shaikhs of the district were with A.P.O. and were in
no way responsible for the shooting.
After the arrival of troops in Diwaniyah, conditions became considerably
easier and the' affected Sarkals, all hastened to express their anxiety to serve
the Administration.
Up to the 18th July, the district remained quiet, but it soon became
apparent that matters would not long remain so, unless offensive action could
be taken against Dagharah.
Many questions were asked why the Dagharah tribes had not been chas
tised and the only answer the A.P.O. could give was that the matter was in
the hands of the army and that they would punish Dagharah in their own
time. The answer satisfied the Shaikhs but factions in the tribes under the
careful nursing of Haji Sallal were steadily on the increase and thieving and
murder commenced to break out in the district.
The A.P.O. would have been powerless to stop this, but fortunately Hai
wawi of Bahahithah tribe played into his hands by sending two men armed
to Afaq; presumably to see what power the A.P.O. still had. The men were
arrested by the police and brought to the A.P.O. followed by all the Shaikhs.
Strong measures had to be taken so the men were at once flogged and given
10 minutes to leave Afaq, failing which they would be shot at sight. The
effect on everyone far exceeded the A.P.O.’s expectations and up to the 25th,
the day before he was re-called, no further thefts were reported and no more
rifle shots were heard.
On the 26th the A.P.O. received information that Haji Sallal was form
ing a plot with Easan al Shabib to kidnap him from his bungalow and hold
him.up as a hostage for Haji Mukhif but that same evening instructions were
received by him to leave Afaq immediately and come to Diwaniyah.
The Political Officer had sent two messengers with letters ordering the
withdrawal. One of the men was killed on the way and the other arrived at
10 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.—4 hours later than he should have done.
The Chaush of Police was ordered to get the ponies ready and arrange an
escort while the A.P.O. dressed. Orders were given for a start in one hour’s
time.
The Chaush returned within 10 minutes and reported that the five police
men whom he had thought faithful had deserted and sent word to the Shaikhs
of the A.P.O.’s departure. Fortunately the ponies were ready and the A.P.O.
was able to leave immediately. No difficulties were experienced on the road
with the exception of evading two pickets near the Yusufiyah canal put out by
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Aqrah tribe.who had been informed of the A.P.O.’s movements presum
ably from spies in Diwaniyah. As fortune would have it, a man was met on
the road before arriving at the Yusufiyah who gave the required information
as to where the pickets were and it was decided to ride between them.
The A.P.O. arrived at Diwaniyah on morning of the 27th.
From later information Easan al Shabib arrived at A.P.O.’s bungalow
half an hour after he had left and burnt it down together with the offices. He
further sent men in nursuit but thev took the wrong road and were never seen
bv the 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. .
Telegram—Code.
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Secretary of State for India, London.
No. 10371.
Dated 27th August, 1920.
Your letter of 10th June, P4513 to War Office.
accoi
Actual figures of combatants in Mesopotamia excluding Persia, 1st July,
Ming to analysis furnished bv General Staff, Baghdad, after deducting
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