File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎385r] (782/995)

Secret Department.
(P 4457j
From (Jiv'd Commissioner, Baghdad, 3rd June 1940.
(Repeated to Tehran and Simla by post.)
(Received 4th, 10 a.m.)
representing
iteeW)
Syria,
'/t
6584. Shortly after the disturbances (Preferred to in my telegram of)'-^th May,
6292, 15 persons who had been instrumental in fomenting the disturbances asked me
to receive them with a view to discussing the future of the National Government of
this country. 1 agreed to do so and invited some 25 other notables of the town,
including Jews and Christians to be present. 1 opened the meeting which took
place to-day by a speech the text of which is contained in my immediately preceding
telegram. The 15 delegates then produced a document embodying the following
demands :—
( 1 ) Immediate (? formation of) a Mesopotamian Convention on an elective basis
whole of Mesopotamia to sit at Baghdad with a view to drawing up
proposals for a National Arab Government for Mesopotamia as promised in the
Anglo-French Declaration ; people of Mesopotamia also asked for freedom. They
also asked for freedom ol the Press. In reply 1 promised to urge idis Majesty’s
Government to expedite matters as much as possible, and explained that so far as the
freedom of the Press was concerned, provisions of the Turkish law on the subject
were now being observed, a decision to this effect having been taken some time ago.
Sir E. Bonham-Carter and Lieut.-Col. Balfour, Military Governor of Baghdad, who
were present agree with me in thinking that it is clear that idea of leaders of this
movement, which is at present confined to Baghdad, is to convene as soon as possible,
by any means, a nominally elected body which would proceed to declare
independent, and to reject British mandate, as was done by Convention in
whose similarity with Mesopotamia was much emphasised. Delegates laid great stress
on necessity for immediate convention of an assembly, and claimed for Mesopotamia
similar treatment to Syria, There was popular demonstration in favour of those
present at the meeting on their way to and from the office in which it was held.
It is unnecessary for me to emphasise that had 1 been permitted to make the
announcement asked for in my telegram of 8 th May, 5599, before the beginning of
Ramazan, namely, the 19th, we should not now be faced with a movement in its
present uncompromising form backed as it is by skilfully-fomented public excitement.
It is probable that in the present temper a (fp roposid that^ country should
submit even for a limited period to a provisional constitution as to which they had
not been consulted would be met on the part of the Nationalists by a declaration of
independence. Such proposals would be represented ashling contrary to th^
Anglo-French Declaration, real meaning of which is XnDiam-ptr-%ix7Tt[')) understood and
widely misrepresented, and would harden public opini'm against us. While, if the
present continue the proposed legislative assembly would on being
summoned convert itself into a constituent assembly, though not so authorised.
Having regard to Anglo-krench Declaration, 1 therefore see no other course open
to us, but to issue an announcement that when the mandate is granted, steps will bo
taken to summon a constituent assembly to consult on the futu re Jorm of government.
The assembly should meet i fcof r up^T gWupl (A six months^amFquestions concerning
the mandate and the necessary powers for exercising them should be (coernpt group)
discussion. Mr. Norman leaves Baghdad 4th June, and is due at Teheran about the
11th. I would suggest Sir P. Cox should spend a few days in Baghdad on his return
journey with a view to seeing the leading men, and
discussing
the constitutional
question with them before proceeding home. Lt is unnecessary for him to take over
(rttthriinitti-ativc appointment- from me for thjf&purpose, and, as I said before, the
anticipation that he will return to this country as High Commissioner would
undoubtedly do much to restore public confidence which has been shaken.