File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎211v] (433/995)

Extracts deleted from Reuters, V,)th July, 1920.
London, July Ibth. Commons replying to question with regard to rising
at Rumaitha, Churchill said that military operations were progressing but
were hampered by shortage of railway stock as six trains had been captured
or derailed. Detachments at Samawah and company of Indian infantry at
Rumaitha were isolated. Troops at Rumaitha and relief detachments who
were fifteen miles from Rumaitha had receded severe casualties. Railway
communication had been interrupted in places and large district was in great
•disorder. Small local relief parties which had up to present advanced had
been unable to cope with disorder. Considerable force was moving down from
Baghdad and he had asked Indian Government to warn further force to be
ready in case of emergency. He pointed out that communications of army
in Mesopotamia could very largely be maintained by River Euphrates (Sic) and
did not depend on railway. There was no reason to suppose that if sufficient
elfort were made, order could not be thoroughly re-established.
Replying* to Spencer, Bonar Law said it appeared that total revenue
collected in Mesopotamia from date of occupation till end of financial year
1919-20, approximated roughly seven millions sterling, calculating rupee to
sixteen pence. A sum roughly approximating six million had gone to meet
ordinary expenses of administering country.
To—India Office, London.
No. 8784.
Dated 21st July, 1920.
Recent references in Parliament and elsewhere to Mesopotamia lead me
to think that some statement of practical working of our revenue policy during
past few years may be of use.
Question of incidents of taxation discussed at length in Land Revenue
Administration Report for 1919, now in Press. Chief points of comparison
with Turks are as follows : —
First —Following major taxes collected by Turks have been discontinued,
viz., property tax (Vergu), profession tax (Tamattu) tent tax, Military Service
•Commutation tax. No fresh taxes imposed. ^
Second —As regards land revenue. Turkish standards of yield per unit, of
measurement have not been exacted where found excessive and proportion of
•crop claimed by Government everywhere reduced, generally by from twelve to
twenty-five per cent, as compared with share claimed by Turks.
Third —Efficiency collection undoubtedly greater than under Turks, but
This scarcely seems fair ground for attack. If local administration had con
nived at local revenue payers’ attempts to defraud tax-gatherer enhanced
burden would have fallen on British tax-payer, who would have had to make
up deficit. It must also be remembered that efficiency in collection includes
and is inseparable from more equable distribution of burden.
Fourth —Demand as formulated everywhere collected practically in full
■and without undue delay of difficulty. Those who know the Arab will realise
that this fact alone suffices to discredit charg*e of over-taxation.
Fifth —All calamities reported and proved generously recognised by
reduction demand or remission, this was impossible under Turkish system.
Sixth —Nevertheless sum collected under various heads, land revenue
indubitably larger in certain areas than in recent Turkish times. This can be
justified on grounds of extension and improvement of irrigation, consequent
expansion of agriculture and enormous rise in prices agricultural produce from
two to five hundred per cent, in different centres.
Seventh —Benefits acknowledged in return by people themselves include
besides those above-mentioned cessation tribal fighting, discontinuance
•expense upkeep tribal forces, security of movement by road and river for
goods and passengers and elimination of corruption from upper grades public
services.
Eitjh t —Actual burden land revenue falls not on cultivators bqt on Shaikhs,
Sirkals and Tapu-holders. These three classes admittedly richer since British
Occupation.
Ninth —Outbreak began in two districts which in 1919 and previous years
got off very lightly. With one partial exception it has since been confined to
districts of which same is true. This years demand not yet presented. Other
districts which may be affected also escaped lightly last year. These areas
in Turkish times latterly quite out of control and paid practically no revenue.
They have never seen British armies and were never subdued. Their attitude,
where outbreak has occurred, is not protest against over-taxation but rather
revolt against settled Government of any kind, inspired by malicious propa
ganda and especially by widely circulated rumour of immediate departure of
British.