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File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [419r] (850/995)
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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more and not less troops than we now have. Its re-occnpation would, 1 believe, for
the present at all events put an end to most of our difficulties, but it would require
more troops and much more transport than we now have available.
IX. Whilst acting in accordance with spirit and, so far as may be, with letter of
mandate, we cannot maintain our position as mandatory by a policy of conciliation
of extremists. Having (? set our) hand to (the) task of regenerating the (? internal
government we must be prepared to furnish alike men and money, and to maintain
continuity of control (? for) years to come. We must be prepared, regardless of League
of Nations, to go very slowly with constitutional or democratic institutions, the
application of which to Eastern countries has been attempted of late years with such
little de gree of success.
X. If His Majesty’s Government regard such a policy as impracticable or beyond
oar strength (as well they may), I submit they would do better to face the alternative,
formidable, and, from local point ol view, terrible as it is, and evacuate Mesopotamia.
1 would not hesitate remaining myself in Mesopotamia, if so ordered, or to return
thereto for the execution of such a policy at whatever cost, as 1 am now reluctantly
compelled to believe that former alternative is beyond our present strength. Equally
would I be prepared in any (?group omitted) to assist in giving effect to more virile
policy outlined above, which I have advocated in principle and in detail for the past
six years, but it is my conviction that half measures will end in disasters, such as
those which have overtaken French detachments in Syria, and I fear that it is half
measures that are now in contemplation.
XI. The problems of Mesopotamia cannot, however, be solved entirely from
within. Its solution depends on the discovery of a formula which will restore order
and harmony and limit ambitions in Syria and Turkey, and in a satisfactory solution
for Mesopotamia will be found key to progress in Persia.
To restore shaken confidence of public if we stay, or to enable us to evacuate if
we go, more troops are needed. It is for General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to say
how many, when and where.
The above telegram has not been shown to or discussed with General Officer
Commanding-in-Chief, firstly, because he is in Persia and, secondly, (? because) issues
are of such vast importance that 1 consider it best to place my vie^vs before you on
my own responsibility.
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' [419r] (850/995), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/761, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100137804989.0x000033> [accessed 7 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