‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 55. PART II. (From 16th to 28th February 1919.)’ [‎46r] (100/254)

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The notables of Bahdad were asked on January 9th for their views on the
three points mentioned in your telegram of November 28th (Diary No. 96400).
Letters were written to the Naq'b and to the Shiah Qadhi, and to the
heads of the Jewish and Christian community askng them to nominate respec
tively 25 Sunni, 25 Shiah, 20 Jewish and 10 Christian delegates.
The Naqib refused to act and the Sunni Qadhi with the former’s consent
undertook the work.
Each delegate was provided with the Arabic text of the i^nglo-Erench
declaration of November 8th and a statement sho ving the opinions elicited up
to date from other parts of Mesopotamia.
Both the Qadhis called meetings of their communities at which extremely
inflammatory language was used and the delegates selected were bound down
beforehand to ask for an Arab Government without European protection.
The full power of religious fanaticism was brought to hear and those who
attempted to protest were threatened with religious and social ostracism.
Of the 50 delegates selected at preliminary meetings 6 of the two Muham
madan communities seven backed out at the la^t ngoment and refused to attend.
These seven men represent a very large proportion o*f toe property owned by
the 50 delegates. Most of them want British rule pure and simple; all desire a
continuance of effective British control, hut were not prepared to face the
religious oblequy involved by a public declaration of their wishes.
Other Muhammadan notables very representative in their own spheres,
have from the beginning declined to take part in these proceedings ; no member
of the Naqib’s family was present.
The Naqib in conversation with Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour, Military
Governor, held that the country was far from ready for any Amir, and advoca
ted a British administration which would co-operate with natives of the country
and employ them in gradually increasing measure.
He began and ended by expressing surprise and regret that we bad made
any attempt to consult native opinion at all. Several other notables, religious,
and secular, evidently wishing to excuse their own conduct, have been at pains
to explain that when a Moslem is asked what form of Government be requires
he is enjoined by his faith to reply in favour of Moslem rule.
The Muhamadan delegates finally put forward a document asking for a
single Arab State from Mosul to the Gulf under a son of the Sheriff with no
mention of foreign pretection. Some of the signatories were formerly strong
adherents of the C. U. P.
The views of the Jews and Christians who form nearly one half of the
community and comprise the vast majority of the important traders, may be
summarized by saying that they look forward to anything except British rule
without an Amir with the greatest alarm.
They are far ahead of the bulk of the Moslems in education and political
knowledge and their wishes cannot hut he given the fullest consideration.
Since the result of the Mohamadan meetings referred to above has become
known there has been a definite revulsion of feeling in Baghdad and a
document is v ow being circulated amongst the leading notables, including
those who have hitherto abstained from taking any part in the matter, asking
for British protection without an Amir.
Khadhimani.—Wiz Ulama hacked by agents from Constantinople, definitely
threatened with ex-communication any one who voted for British control.
In spite of this the head of the municipality and the only other big
merchant in the town have prepared a document demanding the continuance
of British rule which is being extensively signed by tribal Shaikhs and the
mass of British Indian subjects in Kadhimain.
Working copy to G. S. (M. O -1).
Copy to G. S. (M. 0.-3).
APPENDIX 309.
DIARY No. 13702.
Telegram P., No. 13702 (A. G.-l), dated 21st February 1919.
(Despatched 6-15 p. m.)
—The Chief of the General Staff, Delhi,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Baghdad.
(Bepeated Deputy Adjutant-General, 3rd Echelon Force “ D,” and Secretary, War Office
London, reference his 75100 (A. G.- 6 ), dated February 8 th (Diary No. 10509).)
Reference your No. X.-5375 (Diary No. 12061), dated 14th Eebruary
1919.
“S ” Battery, R. H. A., should not he sent to India, in the circumstances
Record copy to A. G.
Copy to M. S. C., Q. M. G., G. S. (S. D.-l, S. D.-3).
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