Papers of the Mesopotamian Administration (later Middle East) Committee [‎1v] (2/80)

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Asiatics from outside the \ ilayet should be employed in the administration
unless of Persian or Arab descent or domicile.
The same considerations should apply as far as possible to the adminis
tration of the Basra Vilayet.
In pursuance of the above policy, it would seem desirable to resuscitate,
under British auspices, whatever may remain of the provincial and municipal
councils that existed in the Vilayet under the Turkish regime.
7. 1 hat it will be desirable to place the political control of Koweit under
the suggested British administration of the Basra Vilayet.
8. Headquarters of Covernment. — We consider that the title and
place of residence of the Head of the Mesopotamian Administration must
depend to some extent on the future status of the Basra Vilayet. If that
Vilayet does not become British territory, the importance of Bagdad as a
capital city, and the probability that the affairs of the Bagdad Vilayet will
occupy the greater part of the time and attention of the Head of the
Administration, point to locating him at Bagdad. A solution might be to
place the Administration of the Basra Vilayet under a “Governor” or
“ Deputy-Governor ” of Basra, subordinate to a “ High Commissioner,” with
headquarters at Bagdad, whose authority would extend to the whole of
Mesopotamia.
But in the more likely event of the Basra Vilayet becoming British
territory, there appear strong objections to such a solution. Apart from
the anomaly of governing a British province (Basra) from headquarters
situated in territory with a less clearly defined status, it could not but
seriously impair the Arab “facade,” which is to be the basis of our policy as
regards Bagdad. For if Basra is annexed and the Head of the Administration
for Basra and Bagdad enjoys the single title of “High Commissioner for
Mesopotamia,” and has his official headquarters .at Bagdad, it is difficult to
imagine that any such “facade” can continue to exist or that the Arab mind
will not consider the whole of Mesopotamia to have been annexed to Great
Britain. The solution proposed would be for the Chief of the Administration
to be termed “Governor of Basra and High Commissioner for Mesopotamia,”
with his titular headquarters at Basra; although it would be understood
that he would usually reside at Bagdad, where his most important duties
would lie. It would be necessary for two officials to be available, one at
Basra and one at Bagdad, to assist him and to replace him during absence.
These officials might be called “ Deputy Governor of Basra ” and “ Deputy
High Commissioner for Mesopotamia,” respectively.
d. Civil Service. —We see objection to the creation of a special British
Civil Service for Mesopotamia, on the ground that the cadre would be too
small to be self-supporting, and that the number of prize appointments
would be insufficient to attract candidates of the best stamp. We would
recommend the amalgamation of the Service with that of the Sudan and
possibly that of the Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. also, recruitment to these services being
by the same method and the personnel interchangeable. In the early
stages it will probably be necessary to employ a number of military officers
in various civil capacities. British Officers from the Indian or Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Services are also likely to be required for some time, though it is
difficult to estimate, even approximately, in what numbers. Such officers
can be lent temporarily under the “ Foreign Service ” rules already in force.
Opportunity should also be given to British officers of Indian Services,
civil and military, now employed in Mesopotamia to volunteer for per
manent transfer to the new Service.
10. That AraInstall being a Persian Province, the Sheikh of Mohammera
being a Persian subject; and the Karun river being an artery that flows
entirely through Persian territory, it seems desirable that they should
remain under the same form of political influence as will exist in the
remainder of Southern Persia.
11. I hat, under the revision of the Anglo-Russian Agreement about
Persia that will be inevitable when the war is over, this influence will
necessarily be a British influence, and will naturally be exercised by the
Indian Government.
12. That the British sphere of influence, as exercised by the Indian
Government, should include the Bakhtiari country, and the regions hitherto