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PZ 2068/1941(2) 'IRAQ. Rebellion in: - 1941.' [‎23r] (47/222)

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The record is made up of 1 file (108 folios). It was created in 30 Jul 1941-14 Nov 1945. It was written in English and French. 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. .

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[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government, and should he kept
^Cypher]
Co Pi ^
S* t*r*-*dL 0 J •
POLITICAL DISTRIBUTION
From: IRAQ
from Bagdad to foreign office
Sir K. Cornwallis
No. 1248
November 6th, 1941.
D. 1.15. p.m. 7th November, 1941.
R. 7.35. a.m. 7th November, 1941.
Repeated to Government of India Saving No. 44.
Cairo for Minister of State Saving No.12.
b b b b b b
Recent sharp increase in local prices, especially of
essential commodities such as wheat, is causing growing
agitation. Anti-British propagandists attribute the rising
cost of living largely to exploitation by Jews with our
connivance. Experience has shown that price control, even
on a limited scale, is most difficult to"enforce in this
country. Rationing is generally accepted as being out of
the question. It is highly desirable, therefore, to conserve
adequate supplies as far as possible of those foodstuffs which
are vital to the well being of the copulation. Satisfactory
arrangements have already been made for imports of sugar, tea
and coffee, prices of which have, in consequence, not risen
unduly. ^ Of three other essential foodstuffs for Arabs, wheat
Ghee and dates, local supplies of the two latter are adequate.
As regards wheat,, the failure of the harvest coupled with
hoarding and recent prohibition on export from India through
individual merchants has forced up local prices. There is
already considerable unrest in the North"where wheat is mainly
grown and the shortage is most acute. The Prime Minister
has impressed on me the Government's anxiety regarding wheat
and has suggested that we should arrange for supplies to be
sent urgently to Iraq before repercussions tend"to become
uncontrollable. 'The Government fear seed wheat is being
eaten, and are apprehensive regarding the next harvest.
2. Minister of Economics has asked United Kingdom Commercial
Corporation to obtain 14,000 tons wheat from India. ~ No
answer has been received yet to enquiry made by United Kingdom
Commercial Corporation [grp. undec. ? locally] regarding supply
prospects (see my telegram No.3 Encom).
3. I appreciate shipping and other transport difficulties
but I consider essential that wheat should be supplied and
announcement of impending arrival made as soon as" passible. I
will endeavour to ensure tlxat- the-wheat is put to the best use.
Request for further supplies of wheat to off set shipments of
barley to Palestine ancl Syria for our military requirements
may be made.
INDIV

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Content

The file comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the rebellion in Iraq 1941.

The discussion in the file concerns measures to restore public order in Iraq following the British military occupation of the country which was instigated after a coup d'état by Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani in April 1941. It covers the following:

  • further discussion surrounding the Kurdish rebel leader Shaikh Mahmoud
  • support for the restored Iraqi government to enforce public order
  • measures to purge the Iraqi civil service of officials sympathetic to Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani
  • judicial process for the 'Golden Square' military officials who supported the coup d'etat

Included in the file is a copy (folio 62) of a paper purporting to be the text of a secret treaty between Rashid Ali and the Axis powers.

The principal correspondents in the volume include HM Ambassador to Iraq (Sir Kinahan Cornwallis) and HM Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (108 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in rough chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 110; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 80-83; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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PZ 2068/1941(2) 'IRAQ. Rebellion in: - 1941.' [‎23r] (47/222), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/504, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100047314501.0x000030> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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