"تقارير إدارة أقسام ومناطق الأراضي المحتلة في بلاد الرافدين لسنة ١٩١٨. المجلد I" [و‎‎٦] (٤٧٠/١٦)

The Arab Labour Corps in this Division is continually short of labour. Two
reasons are suggested for this shortage. Firstly, the Arab’s love of freedom—he
hates being confined in camps surrounded by barbed wire—and, secondly, the
comparatively low rates of pay. The Labour Corps pays its coolies annas 12 per
diem, plus rations. Whilst the coolie appreciates the rations, he does not consider
them worth annas 14, which is the value placed on them by Supplies. He can
purchase all he wants for four or five annas.
The same man can earn a rupee and annas eight as a fallah at almost any
time, whilst during some periods of 1918 as much as rupees two annas twelve was
demanded by and paid to fallahin.
The large number of Military, with the consequent big demand for produce,
has created an abnormal demand for fallahin. Doubtless there will be a slight drop
in wages when the Military strength is reduced.
At the same time it must be borne in mind that the supply of labour is much
reduced by casualties in the-field. Again, if ‘Iraq is to produce the enormous
quantities "of grain one hears rumours of, the demand for fallahin will not be reduced.
The rate of wages, therefore, cannot be expected to drop appreciably.
12. Miscellaneous. —<1) In June, A1 Amir Isma‘il, Shaikh of the Yazidis, came
in from the Jabal Sinjar on a secret mission. For several days he said nothing of
the real object of his journey; and when, eventually, he did so, he was transferred
to Special Service Officer.
During his conversation with the writer, he produced a Peterson pipe, engraved
Siege of Kut al ‘Amarah, 1915-1916, E.W.,” which he said a Turkish N.C.O. had
given him.
(2) A subscription list was opened in Samarra in August last for the Red Cross
Fund, and a sum of Rs. 1,270/- raised entirely from the local Arabs.
13. Flying Majlis. —(1) In July and November a majlis was arranged. The
first took place at the house of Shaikh Ali al Husain al Kuraiyim of the Albu Tsa.
On each occasion the writer flew there as a passenger and many matters were
discussed, including grievances between tribes and the labour question, many coolies
then being required for railway construction and supply work. Aeroplanes and
their pilots also formed a subject for discussion. The Shaikhs and their relatives
present were allowed to handle the machines, and expressed great surprise at
discovering the bodv and struts of the machine were not made of iron or steel.
(2) Various parts of the machines were explained, and it was pointed out that
their pilots were friends of the Arabs.
( 3 ) One important object of the majlis in each case was to enable the' Shaikhs
of the district to become acquainted with British pilots and their machines, and
get the event talked about in the desert, so that if, in the then forthcoming operations,
a forced landing was experienced, the Arab would bring information to our lines,
instead of being alarmed and informing the Turks.
It is interesting to note that, although forced landings have since occurred in
this Division, neither pilots, observers, nor machines have been interfered with.
( 4 ) The last month of the year saw the revival, in earnest, of the pilgrimage
to the Shrines of Imam ‘Ali al Hadi and Hasan al ‘Askari in Samarra. Some 5,000
pilgrims visited the city during the month.
^ Durinv the evening of the 12th, a party of 12 women pilgrims, with a few
children, called at the house of the Rais Baladiyah and insisted on being conducted
to the Political House to pay their salaams to the Hakim al Siyasi. The writer
exchanged a few words with them, and they went away with many prayers for the
welfare of the British and thanks for the justice of their rule.
This is the first occasion since our occupation that Moslem women have
voluntarily sought out a British officer. In the times of the Turks such an incident
was of very rare occurrence.
It is taken as a sign that the Arab is beginning to know' us, and with
that knowledge a real liking for us is being born.
14. Staff and Personnel — A staff diagram is attached (Appendix B.).
The Staff of- the British Officer in the Qadlia in January last consisted of the
Political Officer, Capt. S. G. 0. Murray, C.I.E., with headquarters at Balad.
The Town Commandant, Samarra (the writer), a Military Officer, also did
certain Civil Departmental work.