File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎51r] (110/834)

MESOPOTAMIA.
Attitude of the Notables in the Basrah Sanjaq.
On the occasion of the transfer of the Civil Commissioner’s
Head Quarter Office to Bagdad, Captain A. T. Wilson, who has
acted hitherto as H.C.P.O. at Basrah, was entertained at several
gatherings in Basrah and in A bul Khasib, the adjacent district
on the right bank of the Shatt el-Arab. On these occasions
speeches were made by the local notables and conversations of
considerable interest took place. The inhabitants of the Basrah
Sanjaq seem to have accepted the British occupation as an accom
plished fact, and are now occupied with lively anticipations of
the advantages which may result. No underlying political hostility
w r as perceptible ; the rapid development of Basrah in the
matter of roads, bridges, lighting, water, telephones, ice-machines,
etc., has turned the mind of all classes in a practical direction and
all are anxious to share in the improvements introduced. Those
notables of Basrah whose houses are near the electric and water
mains begged that these might be fitted with electric light and
fans and given a water connection. A universal desire was
expressed for further educational facilities. It was pointed out
that better schools were needed so that it should not be necessary
to send boys to India where they did not get on well and were
not welcome. The reorganisation of the Civil Hospital was a
subject of general satisfaction. At a reception held in the hospital
it was inspected by all present and genuine appreciation was
shown of the great improvements effected and the simple but
comfortable conditions under which the patients lived. Speeches
were made expressing the gratitude of the community for the
labours of the Civil Surgeon, Captain Borrie, and for the action
of the Government in enabling him to equip the hospital so
adequately. A request was made that the good work might be
completed by the appointment of a lady doctor or nurse to visit
women in their houses and give them instruction in medical and
sanitary matters. Action is being taken in this direction and
enquiries are on foot whether a suitable candidate can be found.
A meeting of merchants, largely composed of Jews, was marked
by a cordiality which was possibly somewhat exaggerated.
References were made to the great opportunities which lay before
the mercantile community of Basrah after the war. It may be
noted that the Mohammedans are perhaps a little anxious lest the
enterprise of Jews and Christians should give them an advantage
to which they are not entitled by social status or tradition.
It is not unnatural that, with a population already concerned
with the prospect of peaceful prosperity, the demands made on
their resources by military requirements should seem increasingly
irksome. Chief among these is the drain on labour. At Abul
Khasib, the richest date growing area on the Shatt el-Arab, this
point was emphasized. The landowners experience great^ diffi
culty in getting labour for their date gardens, the military