ملف ٩٧٨/١٩١٧ الجزء ١ "بلاد الرافدين: الإدارة؛ احتلال بغداد؛ الإعلان؛ موقف السير ب. كوكس" [و‎‎٧] (٤٠٢/١٨)

7
[P 1434]
xTs'
From Sir P. Cox, 7th April 19] 7.
(Addressed to Foreign, repeated to Secretary of Slate for India, and
Political, Basra.)
(Received at 9 p.m.)
1. No comment needed from me.
2. T agree.
3. Rider wdi (s/e ? not) be acceptable or feasible as I know of no outstand[im
personality who could fill part. An Administrative Council presided over
by High Commissioner seems best solution, either one for each vilayat or
a combined one for both vilayats.
d ()0■ J agiee that the teriitory should be administered in accordance
with existing laws and institutions, and I am moreover convinced that there
would be great advantage in having uniform codes for Basra and Baghdad
and other Arab provinces under foreign rule or protection. The [rap
code has served its purpose well, but it is admittedly provisional and
levocable on the conclusion of war, and whatever be the final political
status of Basra, there seems to be no essential reason why systems established
in both vilayats should not be assimilated. It must be’remembered that
Turkish judicial system included final reference to Constantinople for which
substitute must be found by creation of High Court of Mesopotamia with
final appeal to Privy Council. Incidentally also the civil and criminal codes
and land laws will require considerable amendment and adjustment of
wording to make them interpretable at all. As regards substitution of
Arab for Turkish personnel, there is not sufficient indigenous materia)
available at present, but it can gradually be created.
4 (6). Tribal system of government already adopted where suitable, and
no objection to provincial and local councils.
4 (e). I agree in principle.
4 (cl). I agree in proposition, but for duration of war we must have some
latitude, especially in regard to clerical establishments. Urgent require
ments of Expeditionary Force and military administration cannot wait, and
have to be met by the most expeditious means possible.
b. Of course in principle it would be much more satisfactory to have the
Basra and Baghdad Vilayats administered on one cohering (?) system both
in regard to principle and detail. But I know that on the one hand we
cannot annex both, and on the other hand the importance of annexing Basra
makes it necessary to put up with certain disadvantages which that course may
involve. I feel convinced, however, that no attempt to differentiate funda
mentally in regard to working principles and details of two administrations
w iH produce satisfactory results, and that they should be so similar as to. be
indistinguishable in the working. The difference would be one of technical
political status and nomenclature which need not make itsell felt on the
spot To attempt to run the two vilayats, which are from every point of
view inseparable, on conflicting lines and inconsistent with principles would,
I am sure, result in great prejudice to all interests concerned.
6. No comment or objection. , r
7 Nejef and Kerbela should not be treated as an enclave cut otl irom
ad van tunes resulting to united Mesopotamia from enlightened Government
which advahage inhabitants anticipate with lively expectation and will