BRITISH POLICY IN IRAQ

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 52, 25 November 1929, Page 12

BRITISH POLICY IN IRAQ

REMOVING SUSPICION (British Official Wireless,) Rugby, November 22. In a memorandum published to-day, the Secretary for the Colonies, Lord Passfield, deals with the British policy in Iraq. The memorandum points out that under the Anglo-Iraq Treaty of 192.7 the British Government undertook to support the candidature of Iraq for admission to the League of, Nations in 1932, “provided the present rate of progress in Iraq is maintained and all goes well in the meantime.” The qualifying words were regarded in Iraq with deep suspicion. As explanations and assurances proved of no avail, the Brlish Government, on the advice of Sir Gilbert Clayton, which was coincidental with that of his predecessor, Sir Henry Dobbs, decided to examine the possibility of dispensing altogether with the provision, and it was felt that the time had come when His Majesty’s Government could safely and with a full sense of its responsibility’towards the League decree definitely to recommend Iraq for membership in three years’ time. The effect of this announcement upon the internal political situation in Iraq was immediate. Distrust and suspicion gave place to inntui confidence and goodwill. Iraq is anxious to co-operate with the British Government in the solution of outstanding questions before 1932. The necessary steps will be taken to prepare a draft, treaty to regulate the relations of Britain with Iraq, framed on liberal lines and based generally upon the recent proposals for an Anglo-Egyptian settlement. NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER (British Official Wireless. I Rugby, November 22. Sir Francis Humphry's will leave London to-day en route for Iraq, where he will take up Ills appointment as High Commissioner in succession to the late Sir Gilbert Clayton. On his way to Bagdad lie will visit Cairo to meet the High Commissioner for Egypt, Sir Percy Loraine, and,Jerusalem, where he will see Sir John Chancellor, High Commissioner for Palestine.