'Papers relating to transfer of Middle Eastern Affairs to the Colonial Office and creation of a new Department there, 1920-1921, with Cabinet notes of Milner, Montague, Churchill, self, and others' [‎37v] (74/136)

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at. This was not for lack of reminders on the part of the 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. . On 15th
December we had proposed to the Foreign Office to authorise an announcement,
but by 19th February no reply had been received, and eventually the first step was
taken by Sir A. ^ ilson himself. He had appointed, on his own motion, a committee
-—presided over by a judicial officer of the Egyptian Service—to draw up a constitution ;
at the end of April he telegraphed a summary of their recommendations ; and he pressed
for permission to announce, before Ramazan (when tempers become excited by fasting),
that His Majesty’s Government provisionally approved them and instructed him
to communicate them to the leading inhabitants with a view to giving effect to them
in the autumn ; the 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. did their best, but Sir A. Wilson received no
instructions until the 7th June. In addition to this delay, further delay has been
imposed upon his active proposals. Though a late convert to the policy of an Arab
Government, he has shown himself anxious energetically to pursue the policy which he
has been authorised to announce. Accordingly he proposed to receive Jaafar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. from
Syria, and to invite a number of Mesopotamian officers now in that country—the
officers of whose natural impatience to take a share in the government Mr. Lawrence
reminds us in the Times —to come to Baghdad for consultation regarding the
preliminary arrangements. But, at the wish of the Foreign Office, he was immediately
restrained, and action of that kind—so important at the present stage—is being
held up.
In conclusion, since Sir A. \\ ilson’s administration has suddenly become the
object of hostile—and in my opinion wholly unmerited—criticism, I will quote from a
telegram which I sent to him as recently as 7th June, with Lord Curzon’s concur
rence : 1 His Majesty s Government take this opportunity of conveying to you their
most cordial and grateful acknowledgments of the high ability and unflagging zeal
with which during the past years you have devoted yourself with such markedly
successful results to' your difficult and laborious task.” Nemo repente fit
deterrimus !
23rd Jul v 1920.
E. S. M.
P.S.—I append the latest telegram from Sir A. Wilson
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 21st July 1920.
(Received 22nd, 8 a.m.)
Clear the line.
(R.) 8785. General Officer Commandmg-in-Chiefs telegram of the 15th July,
X. 958, was written after personal discussion with me as statement of militarv
position had my general concurrence.
I am hopeful, however, that our success at Rumaitha will restore situation
sufficiently to enable us, with assistance of brigade from India already promised, to
deal effectively with Shamiyah, from which trouble at Rumaitha was undoubtedly
fomented originally, and to maintain our present position in this country. Rising is
still quite local in character, isolated political officers on edge of district affected^ at
Af'ek Qilat, Sikar, Shattra, where no troops have ever yet been seen, are maintaining
their authority and collecting revenue as usual. Latest reports are that rising in
Shamiyah Division lacks unanimity and fighting in that area up to date is reported to
be largely inter-tribal.
Political situation reports from other districts satisfactory, but Hillah reports
indication of some nervousness among tribes at delay in taking action against rebels
in Shamiyah.
Military position in the event of a spread of the disaffection to other areas would,
however, be^ as described by Gen. Haldane. My only doubt is whether evacuation of
Mosul would not raise such a storm as to compel us to withdraw still further (see my
telegram Xo. 1975 of 13th February). Abandonment of Mosul involves abandonment
also of Arbil and Sulaimaniyah, for last two named Divisions are absolutely quiet they
would not I fear long remain so were we to abandon Mosul. We now have no
garrison at Arbil. Garrison of Sulaimaniyah Division consists of about GOO rifles and
2 guns at ( ? ) some 30 miles west of Sulaimaniyah on borders of Division. His
Majesty’s Government will realise from this that it is not a case of holding down these
Divisions by armed force but providing, as in Turkish times, a minimum show of
authority in support of the Government.