THE IRAQ KINGDOM.

Evening Star, Issue 21219, 28 September 1932, Page 6

THE IRAQ KINGDOM.

While suggestions are current that certain nations are about to resign their membership of the League of Nations, it is refreshing to find that others are being enrolled. Iraq and Turkey have both been admitted as new members. The Turk, not so long ago, was regarded as “the sick man of Europe.” It was thought that the result of the Great War would add to the gravity of his position, but under the forceful administration of Mustapha Kemal he has made an astonishing recovery, and striking progress is everywhere apparent in his country. Iraq, which was formerly a Turkish province and governed with all the old-time cruelty and corruption, now emerges as an independent kingdom. For this happy state of affairs she has to thank tin fostering hand of Britain, to which country a mandate was entrusted when the new State was formed. By popular election, in 1921, the Emir Faisal was made King of Iraq. A treaty with Britain was subsequently signed, the latter undertaking to exercise her good offices to secure the admission of Iraq to the League of Nations, and agreeing when that was accomplished that all the responsibilities as the mandatory Power would be determined. It has taken a few years to achieve this result, because the practical help of experienced administrators was necessary in getting the new State firmly on to its feet. There was much to be done in pacifying the various tribes, in settling boundaries, and in establishing governmental bodies and initiating industries. These arc tasks for which British officials have shown singular aptitude in the past in dealing with native races. Iraq had to agree to give certain guarantees, which wore approved by the Council of the League of Nations, before her admission to the League. Among these were the protection of minorities, whether racial, linguistic, or religious; the rights of foreigners before her courts; freedom of conscience and worship, and free activities for religious missions; and the safeguarding of debts. In the military clauses of the latest nglo-Iraqi treaty it is provided that for twenty-five years Iraq is to permit Great Britain to maintain airports where British troops will bo kept. This gave some concern to the French, who wanted to know how it could be reconciled with the complete independence of the country, but seeing that the arrangement was the result of a mutual pact they wore unable to display any official opposition. Another thing that influenced the statesmen in Paris was that when France lays down her mandate in Syria she will probably be anxious to have some similar military arrangement. An important bearing on this matter is that in both Iraq and Syria in the last ten years large sums have been invested by British and French industrialists and financiers. Britain, in expounding the need of military safeguards, has pointed out that Bagdad is rapidly becoming an important centre for aerial communication, and that the interests of many nations arc concerned with the maintenance of absolute security for aerial navigation over Iraq, it will be a very small force that Britain will station there, and it is a wise precaution, in its light 9i the histoid jrf country.

that in no way impairs Iraq’s independence. There is a mutual assurance of help in case either Britain or Iraq becomes involved in war. A permanent British military mission is to reside in the country, while the 8,000 police of Iraq are to bo under British control and instruction. Britain has loyally and efficiently prepared the way for Iraq’s independence. King Faisal and his Ministers realise that much remains to be accomplished, and that the practical help of Britain is still required. They signed the treaty and accepted the guarantees with thp knowledge that all the conditions, implicit and explicit, will be honourably fulfilled by the British Government. The fact, also, that the League Council has approved of the arrangements that have been made will show that no course detrimental to Iraq has been taken.