File 4613/1919 Pt 1 'Mesopotamia: Land Policy (Tenure and Acquisition) (General file)' [‎290v] (20/98)

collapse. His Lordship considers that cases of this
nature should he dealt with at Mr.Secretary Montagu^
discretion.
C. Sales of land, allocation of sites, or grants of
concessions for public works of obvious utility to the
inhabitants, and of urgent importance, such as water-works.
These cases, as those referred to in the preceding
paragraph, should, in His Lordship's opinion be left to
Mr.Secretary Montagu's discretion. In this connection,
however, I am to observe that motor-tramways do not appear
to be urgently necessary.
D. Concessions to business firms, such as the Cawnpore
Vtoollen Mills, and the paper-pulp factories, which might
reasonably be regarded as being primarily in the interests
of the concessionaires, rather than in those of the in
habitants. His Lordship deprecates concessions of this
nature being granted pending the final settlement.
5 . I am to add, with regard to the proposed civil
station in the neighbourhood of Baghdad, that Lord curzon
would prefer to await further information on the subject
before expressing an opinion.
6 . In conclusion, I am to state that while His
Lordship has every sympathy with the difficulties inherent
in the greatly delayed Peace Settlement, he feels sure that
Mr.Secretary Montagu will appreciate the international
considerations which lead him to deprecate a premature
launching out into operations which might well prove a
source of embarrasslment via-&-vis the future Government
or
of Iraq, with other Powers.
A
I am
Sir,
Your most obedient
humble Servant,
- ^