File 301/1921 'MESOPOTAMIA: INTELLIGENCE REPORTS' [‎79r] (168/586)

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APPENDIX 1.
COMMUNIQUE TO THE PUBLIC OE IRAQ.
/qii doubtless not bidden from the public Hnat on the 16th of June
(9th bhawal), the report of a speech delevered by 'the Right Ho
\V insitou Churchill m the British House of Coiamons on the 14th June (7th
Sliawal) reached Baghdad, m which the Secretary of State above-mentioned
explained to his hearers the political situation in the countries of the Near
Jtast and then gave an authoritative statement of the policv of His Maiestv’s
(rovernmen+ i« Those portions of his speech referring to
Government in regard thereto.
Hraq were immediately published in the English and Arabic newspapers m
Bagndad and Basrah with my authority as High Commissioner and thev
appeared to give a clear exposition of the policy of the British Government,
omce the publication of that communique however representations have
repeatedly been made to me that a statement from myself as High Commis
sioner and head of the Provisional Government of ’Iraq, explaining clearly the
salient points of British policy as set forth in the said speech was keenly desired
by the public. Accordingly I feel it my duty to comply (1). It will be
remembered that after the commencement of the world war, repeated pledge.®
were given to the inhabitants of Iraq and to the Ring of The Hejaz that there
should be no question of allowing Uraq or any other liberated territory to
revert to the sovereignty to which they were subject on the outbreak of war.
Those pledges the British Government intends steadfastly to maintain, and
feels that, she would oe failing to fulfil her obligations under them were Great
Britain to leave ‘Iraq, without assistance at this, early stage of its career and
thereby allow it to become a prey to confusion and chaos. At the same time
Great Britain is not prepared to continue to bear the heavy financial burden
and political responsibility of controlling the administration to the ex tout
which was necessary pending restoration of peace conditions. The British
Government is and always has been of the opinion that she could best fulfil
her obligations by assisting the people, of ‘Iraq to Set up a National Government
of their own with our assistance and thus to build up a friendly Arab if fate
with its capital at Baghdad. His Majesty’s Government are themselves of
opinion that the best form of administration for ‘Iraq would be a consti
tutional government under an Arab Ruler acceptable to the people of tfbe
country. They wash to make it clear hwever as they have repeatedly stated
that there is no intention or desire whatever of forcing a particular ruler upon
the people. On the contrary it is desired that there should be complete free
dom of choice and expression of opinion. Nevertheless as the power which haa
incurred enormous expenditure in Mesopotamia during the past 7 years Great
Britain cannot remain indifferent to the issue and trust that the people of Iraq
will make a wise and free choice.
I now touch upon the coming of His Highness the Amir Faisal to ‘Iraq.
The attitude of His Majesty’s Government in this connection is as follows . —
It was the Sharifian family which raised the Arab standard on the side of
the Allies during* the War, in the wanning of which it played ao important
part. The cause to which that family entered the lusts was that of Arab free
dom, the same cause which Great Britain has undertaken to promote in ’Iraq
Accordingly when the adherents of the Sharifian family in ‘Iraq enquired what
was the attitude of the British Government to their invifiation to
the Amir Faisal to come to ‘Iraq the reply given them was that His Majesty’s
Government would place no obstacle in the w*ay of His Highness’s candidature
for the rulership of Mesopotamia and that sliuld he be chosen by the people be
would have British support. While therefore reiterating the desire that the
people of ‘Iraq should make a free choice, the Secretary of State s!av T no reason
to refrain from making it clear that His Majesty’s Government consider the
Amir Faisal a suitable candidate—indeed the most suitable candidate in tne
field and hope he will secure the support of the majority of the people of the
’Iraq.
If he is elected it is the belief of His Majesty’s Government that a solu
tion will have been reached which offers the best prospect of a happy and pros
perous feture to this country.
His Majesty’s Government are aware that other possible solutions have
been mooted such as
(a) the establishment of a Republic and
(b) the introduction of a Turkish Prince
but as regards the former, in their opinion the stage of dvelopment of ‘Iraq
is quite unsuited to the establishment of a Republic, while as regards the
introduction of a Turkish Prince, the solution is one which they would not be
prepared to tolerate.
It is hoped that the above paragraphs explain clearly the policy of His
Majesty’s Government, a policy which the British Press and Public m ccnnec-