COUNTRY OF IRAK

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3250, 9 April 1943, Page 3

COUNTRY OF IRAK

the cradle of mankind SOME INTERESTING FACTS great assistance to allies When on January 11 last the kingdom of Irak declared war on German}’, Italy and Japan, the United Nations gained a valuable ally. Leaving aside all material consider-

ations, of which the uninterrupted flow

of oil is the most important, it is clear that among the Arab countries Irak is the first to recognise not only where its interests lie but also the spiritual obligation to help the right side, The effect of the decision of the Irak Government on the peoples of Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the other Moslem, though non-Arab, nations, such as Turkey, Persia and.’ Afghanistan, is likely to be far-reach-ing, and Irak’s decision may come to be -regarded as a definite turning point as far as the complicated polities of the Middle East are concerned. Mesopotamia —to use the old name, which means “land between the rivers”—is our youngest ally, not only because she is the latest addition to the growing list of the United Na. tions, but also because her nationhood dates back not further than 1920. In the last war Mesopotamia —the “Mespot” of the Diggers —was the scene of ' a lengthy and difficult campaign, which . required great sacrifices. Although the whole land had been part of the Turk- ■ ish empire, the population for the most part was sympathetic towards the Briish, whom it regarded as liberators. With the coining of peace the loyalty of the Irak nation’ was rewarded by a recognition of its claim to independent nationhood, “subject to the rendering of administrative advice and assistance by a manatory until such time as the Arabs are willing to stand alone.”'Britain accepted the mandate, and set up a temporary administration which terminated as soon as Irak indicated such willingness. At the outbreak of the present . the capital, Bagdad, became a hotbed of German intrigue, espionage and propaganda, so that the British were once more obliged to move in and suppress a revolt, but as soon as order was restored civil powers were handed back to the re-formed Government. The recent declaration of war on the part .the Governments was an unequivocal vindication of British policy, . which aimed at all times at maintaining cordial relations, while recognising the vital importance of the ’Middle East to the Allies. At the Cross-roads The position of Irak is truly a cen-

tral one in relation to the countries of