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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [418r] (848/995)
The record is made up of 1 volume (491 folios). It was created in 28 Jun 1920-11 Feb 1921. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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(P 4593)
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 9th June 1920.
(Copy to General Officer Commarding-in-Chief by despatch rider,
repeated to Teheran and India.)
(Received 10 a.in., 10th,)
Clear the line.
6948. Secret.
I. Recent developments have caused review of whole situation of Mesopotamia,
a] ising out of the announcement of grant of mandate and its reception by public in
this country. Anticipations recorded in first part of my telegram of 16th November
1918, and in para. No. 4 of my telegram of the 10th December are nearing realisation.
II. During the last 18 months’ progress of demobilisation, withdrawal of
experienced civil officers and their departure on leave have given men of all classes in
this country reason to doubt whether we are prepared or are m a position to nive
effect to our obligations under mandate. Speeches in Parliament and newspaper
opinions quoted in Reuter’s have emphasised these doubts.
HI. Our Army is now, alike in numbers, composition and fighting efficiency,
incapable of defending the population of frontier divisions of Mosul and Dulaim
against aggression, and of maintaining, or, in case of need, restoring internal order
over any considerable area.
IV. Both the above divisions were protected from Sharifian aggression up till
October last by the Dair-az-Zor division : its separation from Mesopotamia by Peace
Conference, and circumstance of its seizure by Arabs (? crossing the frontier), led to
a succession of incidents, cumulative effect of which threatens to be disastrous, the
latest incident being the outrage of Tel Afar.
V. Last February I warned Government that we must hold what we then had
with the troops then in the country, or clear out, and that there was no middle course.
Events have shown that this was not an over-statemem,
VI. The garrison has been further reduced, with the result that we have had to
abandon area (corrupt group) holding. The geographical situation of the country,
the nature of its frontier and the disposition of its inhabitants and neighbours is such
that the abandonment of control of any considerable part of Mesopotamia involves
evacuation of whole, excelling Basra.
#
VII. The history of this country for the past few thousand years and the practical
experience of the past three, alike convince me that we cannot give effect to mandate
without risk of disaster, unless we are prepared to maintain for the next two years at
least as many troops in the country as we maj 7 have, and in a state considerably more
efficient than they are now, and to complete so-called military lines to Hit, Qaiyara,
Kirkuk at once.
VIII. Unless we can regain possession of Dair-az-Zor up to Rakka inclusive, as
part of Mesopotamia, and maintain our hold on it hereafter, we shall have to keep
About this item
- Content
The volume consists of correspondence, memoranda, drafts, and departmental notes relating to rebellion against British mandatory rule in Mesopotamia [approximately corresponding to present-day Iraq], later known as the Iraqi Revolt of 1920.
The volume covers the period from the start of unrest in May 1920 to British imposition of control in October of the same year. The majority of the volume comprises reports from political officers across Mesopotamia on the situation in their respective divisions and districts.
Other matters discussed within the volume include:
- The suspected causes of the uprising, including fears of ‘Bolshevik’ and pro-Turkish influence
- Settlement of the border between Syria and Mesopotamia
- Military strategy and operations, including the need for reinforcements
- The severing of British lines of communication, particularly rail
- The efficacy and principles of the use of armoured cars and air raids as means of control following numerous cases of misidentification and disproportionate force that resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people
- Political and civil policy in the region
- Identification and arrest of some of the leaders of the rebellion
- The prominence of events in Mesopotamia in the British press
- The question of disarming the tribes following the suppression of the rebellion.
Principal correspondents include officials at: the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ; the Office of the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia (from November 1920, the High Commissioner); the War Office; General Headquarters of the military in Mesopotamia; and the Government of India, Foreign and Political and Army departments.
The volume contains cuttings from several publications, including: The Times , The Statesman , The Observer , The Daily Herald , The Daily Mail , The Baghdad Times , and The Near East .
The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence. A second divider is included, for File 4722/1918 Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’. This was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (491 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the rear to the front.
The subject 4722 (Mesopotamia) consists of ten volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/755-764. The volumes are divided into twelve parts, with parts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 comprising one volume each. Part 10 is missing. Part 7, entitled ‘Mesopotamia: Sir A. Wilson’s invitation to Syrian Baghdadis’, was transferred to File 5268/20 Parts 1 and 2 (see IOR/L/PS/10/913).
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 489; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. Multiple intermittent additional foliation sequences are also present. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly, f 89a.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [418r] (848/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804989.0x000031> [accessed 10 June 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/761
- Title
- File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:89v, 89ar:89av, 90r:113r, 114v, 118v:120r, 121v, 127v:169v, 173r:192v, 194r:211v, 213r:223v, 225r:227r, 229r:261v, 262v:263v, 266r:279v, 280ar, 280r:293v, 294v, 295v:317v, 318ar, 318r:333v, 334v:341v, 342v:359v, 360v:400v, 404r:424v, 425ar, 425r:489v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence