"مذكرات الحرب. مقر قيادة الجيش، الهند. [...] قوة المشاة الهندية «د». المجلد ٥٢. الجزء I. (من ١ إلى ١٥ نوفمبر ١٩١٨.)" [و‎‎٢‎٢‎١] (٥٥٨/٤٥٠)

officer received congratulatory visit from some 200 tribal Sheikhs and land-
owners accompanied by their followers some 2,000 in all.
Religions dignitaries and notables of town participated.
Working copy (advance copy for information) to G. S. (M. O. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. 0. 1)
APPENDIX 245.
DIARY No. 91423.
Telegram R., No. 9695, dated 10th November 1918.
(Despatched 2-11 p.m., received 2-55 p.m., 14th November 1918.)
From—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary of State for India, London.
(Repeated Cairo and to the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.)
Apart from tribal organisation in Mesopotamia which (? it) has been our
policy consistently to maintain and develop, the municipalities of the principal
towns were almost the only indigeneous institutions which afforded the local popu
lation an opportunity of partaking in the management of their public affairs.
These municipalities are now emerging from financial stringency due in
the first instance to the departure of Turkish officials and removal of municipal
funds and records, followed by prolonged period of war conditions and necessity
on military grounds for maintaining sanitation, etc., at a level previously
undreamed of but now generally appreciated. They are now financially in a
fairly sound condition.
With approval of General Officer Commanding-in-Chief I am instituting
with effect from January 1st, both at Basrah and Baghdad, municipal councils
on lines evolved by Ueutenant-Colonel Howell, I.C.S., Military Governor,
Baghdad, in consultation with the principal notables of Baghdad.
These councils will consist partly of nominated and partly of elected
members and will enjoy considerable financial powers in respect of municipal
revenues, viz., Rs. 5,000 for a single payment and up to Rs. 150 a month for
recurring payments subject in both instances to the existence of budget pro
vision. The President, Vice-President and Secretary will for the present be
officials.
164 c. g. s.
Copies of constitution and rules are being posted to you and to India.
Similar municipal councils where they did not already exist will be set up in
other towns, but the general level of education and civilisation being these
lower (Pwith) more restricted powers and under somewhat closer tutelage.
Working copy (advance copy for information) to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S .C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
)
APPENDIX 245.
DIARY No. 91424.
Telegram R., No. 9697, dated 10 th November 1918.
(Despatched 11-20 p.m., received 9-30 a.m., 11th November 1918.)
(Received in War Section, 14th November 1918.)
From—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary of State for India.
(Repeated to the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department.)
My immediately preceding telegrams (Diary Nos. 91149 and 91423).
Application will be made by post in due course for formal approval of Govern
ment to delegation to municipal councils of the financial powers referred to.
Working copy (advance copy for information) to G. S. (M. O. 1).
Copy to M. S. C., G. S. (M. O. 3).
APPENDIX 246.
DIARY No. 91433.
Telegram P., No. 9760, dated 12th November 1918.
(Despatched 10-15 p.m., received 9-15 a.m., 13th November 1918.)
(Received in War Section, 14th November 1918.)
From —The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Baghdad,
To—The Secretary of State for India.
(Repeated Teheran and Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign and Political Depart
ment.)
Eollowing from Noel from near Sulaimaniyah, November 9th. Begins.