'Eastern Committee. Mesopotamia: Civil Administration' [‎3r] (5/8)

5
As a result of Turkish and Russian exactions, the population of the district had been
reduced, at the time of our occupation, to about one-third oi its normal hgure. On
our arrival the refugees at once began to return, and the problem ol supply became
acute "As military considerations are held to preclude our giving out that we
" intend to remain, or to allow, or give 'seed for, cultivation which we cannot under-
44 take to protect, the political situation at present is ditiicult." Maintenance ol a
detachment of irregulars to preserve order locally lias been appioved. 1
The situation at Bedrah, which lies midway between kut and Mcndeli iias long
been unsatisfactory owing to friction between the 1'ersian and Arab elements, and 1o
the existence of a strong pro-Turkish party in the town. It has been decided to post
an assistant political officer there, a step which the well-disposed among the
inhabitants have repeatedly begged us to take. Incidentally, it is hoped that t ic
presence of a British official will exert a steadying influence on the \ all ot 1 usht-i-Kuli
(on the Persian side of the frontier), whose winter quarters are only three hours
journey from Hedrah, and who owns considerable private piopcity m tho town.
(ill) Land Kevenue.—Cash receipts up to date, Rs. 10,53,174 (70,<»()()/.).
(iv) Irrigation and Agriculture.-- ' Expert military officers on the Vegetable Pro-
41 duction Staff are giving invaluable assistance in agricultural matters generally.
44 An officer has been appointed Agricultural Adviser to the Administrator, A.D.
4k Scheme, and Circle otlicers have been appointed for the Euphrates, the Tigris down
44 to Kut, and for the Basra Vilayet." (
44 Harvesters," with necessary staff, are under order from Australia. 1 lie
44 threshing and clecin delivery ot the grain, which will he alToided by these machines,
" should be a most important factor in the speedy disposal of next year's crop." No
further progress made in regard to other agricultural machmei}.
The organisation required for handling 44 the enormous crop that is anticipated on
the Euphrates" is receiving attention. No details yet worked out.
Good progress reported on the Euphrates Irrigation scheme, " a pleasing note
44 being the new interest taken by land-owners in the development of lands, which,
44 under the Turkish administration, they had been content to leave untended."
On the Diyalah, much satisfaction caused among the Arabs by improved irrigation
arrangements ; but seed distribution in the the l>aquhah district as a whole fioi
proceeding as rapidly as could be wished.
(v) Cotton. The cotton already grown at Hillah has been reported on most
favourably by the Cotton Expert from India.
G. Fifth Report, period ending ibth J an nary 1018.
(i) Tribal Affairs.—Relations with the Kurdish tribes on the Persian frontier,
north of Khaniqin, described as " still precarious." Difficulty experienced with the
powerful Sinjabi tribe, who are preventing the passage of food to Khaniqin. r i he
head of the tribe, Ali Akbar Sinjabi, is known to have entertained German agents
and to be in constant communication with the enemy ; also harbouring the pro-
German Persian democrat, Sulaiman Mirza. "The elimination of Sulaiman would
44 probably result in All Akbar s adhesion to ourselves, and would go iai to quiet, the
44 frontier." [N.B.—Sulaiman has since been " eliminated.' ]
Submission reported of a powerful Chief bi the Muntalik league, forinerlv one ol
the most actively hostile of the JVIuntalik Sheikhs. T he t hief of the Sanai, desciibed
as 44 the most whole-heated lurkish adherent among the Hem Kabiah Sheikhs, has
submitted unconditionally. With two exceptions, all the leading Sheikhs who were
out against us in the Jazirah, i.e., the area between the 1 igris and the Euphrates,
have now made submission.
(ii) Affairs at Nejef.—Subsequent to the ejection of the 1 urks, the control ol Nejef
passed into the hands ol certain tribal sheikhs, who administered the town with
great advantage to themselves and little benefit to Nejef. Disturbances ensued, and
the local government agent (a member of the Aga Khan s family) found himself
1 A.i). apparently stands for Agricultural Development. VV hat is probably meant is the development
scheme mentioned in paragraph / (iv.). {See P^'g 0 ^ below.)
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