File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎210r] (430/995)

The issues at stake are of such importance that I beg you to continue to
allow me to express my views freely on the whole situation as I see it.
I confirm my Telegram of July 10th, 8312, which crossed your telegram
under reply and assuming that you give me the discretion requested above I.
am content to abide by the consequences.
/ .
Telegram—P.
From—Secretary of State for India, London.
To—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
No. Nil.
Dated 21st July, 1920.
Received 23rd July, 1920.
Your telegram 8422.
You may continue to report freely on the whole situation as it presents
itself to you. I agree that military and political aspect of the question cannot
in practice be treated entirely separate.
Telegram—R. (Ord.)
k From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Secretary of State for India, London.
No. 8596. ^ i
Dated 16th July, 1920.
My telegram of 9th July, 8248, Saiyid Talib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and Basrah, ex-Turkish
Deputies have agreed to join Committee, as also have deputies from Mosul and
Kirkuk. Baghdad deputies are hesitating being apparently in fear of
extremists.
Telegram—Cypher R.
From—Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
To—Secretary of State for India, London.
No. 8586.
Dated 17th July, 1920.
In last paragraph of telegram of 12th July from Egypt force to Troopers-
it is stated that channel of correspondence with Damascus Government is now
through High Commissioner, Palestine. I submit that this arrangement
lends additional force to views expressed in paragraph 5 of my telegram of
Translation of letter, dated nil from 1 usuf al Suwaidi Ei-baitfid Mohammad
Sasr-ul-Din, Baghdad, to the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
In reference to our communication, dated the 30th -June, 1920 (30th
Hazairan, 1920), addressed to the Political Officer and Military Governor of
Baghdad, wherein we urged for immediate formation of a General Mesopo
tamian Congress, in reply to the Notification issued on June the 17th, 1920
(providing for the formation of a General Mesopotamian Assembly next
autumn), we beg to state that we have not yet received a reply addressed to
us in regard to our proposals, but we have read in the issue of Al liaq, i o. ,
dated the 12th July, 1920, a Notification issued by your Excellency (copies of
which you sent, with special notes, to some of us), to the eject that, pre-
liminary to the calling into being of the General Assembly it was ueeessan
to draw up an electoral law under winch such assembly would be elected, and
to make other arrangements appertaining thereto, and His Majesty s Govern
ment has authorised you to invite the notables who represent various localities
to co-operate with tile Civil Administration in framing the projects under
which such an assembly could he elected and also m delimitating the various
electoraf Areas. And you have notified the senators and deputies who are in
this city for the purpose of carrying out.the provisions of the Notification in
question, that is to fay. to prepare Registers of electors, and to make other
ft appears from this that His Majesty's Government has approved our
proposals for the immediate election of a “ Congress for which we beg.to
thank His Britannic Majesty’s Government. This will, no doubt, pacify
public opinion. . . , . i • t,
It is our duty 5 however, on behalf of our citizens, to invite your kind
attention to the following points:— . . . T
Doubtless, you know that International and Constitutional Laws require
the enforcement of the laws of a conquered state m the occupied territory of