File 3540/1916 'MESOPOTAMIA 1920 PORTION (1)' [‎464v] (955/1006)

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POLITICAL DIARY OF SUQ-AL-SHUYUKH & HAMM AR.
For the month of August, 1919.
TRIBAL.
Albu Salih.—Most attention this month has been given to the Albu
Salih tribes and I trust that the state of affairs nowin being may continue,
and that 7 after all this exasperating period of fighting and parleying the
various tribes of the Albu Salih district will settle down under Government’s
orders and shew that the real root of evil was only Badr himself. It is as yet
too early to congratulate the Officiating Political Officer on his present
arrangement. However, the Shaikhs have returned to their tribes and ap
parently there is peace. As the Political Officer will undoubtedly give full
details in his own report and as he is absolutely responsible for all that has
been done in this connection, I will not intrude in my report, beyond, say
ing that I am confidently looking forward to very little trouble in the future
from this source. , Previously with this sole discordant corner the Suk district
could never in the past have said to be really satisfactory. This which I
trust will prove to be the final round of a long-drawn-out contest comes at a
very opportune moment when other changes have taken place in the admin
istration of the district.
I have made the acquaintance of the four important Shaikhs of the Albu
Salih, namely, Hussan ibn Badr, Sulaiman el Nasrullah, Jassim el Khulaiwi
and Shabeeb. The unsuccessful Umwanis ibn Mutlag, I have also met and
at the moment if there is any discontent it might be expected from this man
and his few followers.
Al Juwaibir.—The murderer in the long outstanding case in this tribe
has just come in and final settlement of “ fasl ” is now being made. As I
reported in July the Juwaibir needed attention. This has been given and
with the P.O.’s consent, /I have deposed Hatim as paramount Shaikh. The
three sections have again been placed each under its own headman. Each
Rais is responsible through Mudir of Bani Said for his own section. The
headmen now are:—-
Al Juwaibir—A jil ibn Mehsin.
Mutarda—Chiad al Juwazin.
Shalaishat—Hatim al Mo tan.
Of these Ajil and Hatim are to receive allowances of Rs. 50 per mensem.
Previously Hatim alone received pay of Rs. 100 per mensem. The Shabanah
post which was a real thorn in the flesh is under the direct orders of the Mudir.
This scheme has now been working for almost three weeks and apart from
Hatim’s sore head appears to be very satisfactory.
LAW AND ORDER.
There has only been one incident throughout the month contrary to law
and order. The’ well-worn Suk phrase in reports cannot die—the usual woman
in the case was almost—murdered whilst the former lover was actually shot
dead. The act took place in Al Jumaian. The murderer is still at large, but
I have settled " fasi ” according to tribal custom at Rs. 500 for the dead man,
Rs. 500 price of the damage to the woman and Rs. 500 fine to Government.
Apparently there is constant petty trouble regarding internal affairs of this
tribe and Al Ibrahim under A.P.O., Nasiriyah. I have discussed the matter
with Captain Orgill and I trust our plan of campaign will have the effect of
stopping the interchangeable methods at present freely utilized by these two
tribes who are on the respective borders. Crimes in the town during the
month nil.
CONDITION OF DISTRICT.
Throughout the month the district has been, generally speaking, very
quiet, due,' I presume, chiefly to the fact that there has been work to do trans
planting rice and making arrangements for the date crop. Revenue is being
brought in with a little pressure and the peace and quietude'which reigns at
present will, one trusts, continue. Politically the settlement of the Albu
Salih although to our manner of thinking partially unsatisfactory must have
its effect on the tribes although sufficient time has not yet elapsed to reveal
this. The continuous stream of would-be interviewers ceased when a ruling'
was declared, regarding Mallakiya and all are quietened temporarily hoping
that my t( leisure ” to investigate claims will come soon. Petitions although •
still heavy are I am pleased to state now on the wane. This month I have
dealt with 130. Some of these being land boundaries I have settled by visits.
Other questions of ownership have been shelved. Tribal disputes have been
dealt with as usual through the respective Mudirs and Shaikhs. At the
beginning of themonth Shaikh Salim el Khayyun came to Suk with Captains
Mackie and Lewis, Officiating Political Officer also came to Suk to meet him.