BRITAIN AND IRAK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 11

BRITAIN AND IRAK.

difficulties ended.

may join the league.

NEW CABINET GRATIFIED.

STEP ''TO INDEPENDENCE.

SURPRISE IN ENGLAND.

By Teleernpli—P reßS Association— Copyright. AUJtrnlinn Press Association—United Servico -j-. (Received September 20. 9.35 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 20.

Despatches from Bagdad stato that the political situation in Irak has 'Weatly ciiangcd since tho British Government's offer to" recommend tho unconditional entranco of that country to tho League of Nations in 1932. This has placated all parties. A Cabinet has been formed with gir Abdul Sadun as Prime Minister. A communique announces that the lalo Sir Gilbert Clayton, High Commissioner, imprcsse4 upon tho British Labour Government the advisability of an early decision on Irak's demand to enter the League as a means of terminating the existing treaties. It is regretted that Britain's reply was On'tho way while Sir Gilbert was dying. It would havo given him pleasure to communicate it personally to tho Irak Government. The roply from Britain announces tho "Government's decision not to proceed with the 1927 'treaty, but says it will be necessary 'to conclude a new treaty beforo 1933 to regulate the relations between the two countries.

Sir Abdul Sadun. in accepting tho Primo Ministership, said Britain's offer had satisfied part of tho aspirations of tho Irak nation. She would accept nothing which in tho long run would fall short of complete independence. / Tho new situation is regarded as tho direct result of the British Labour Cabinet's new policy in tho Middle East.

The Irak Cabinet includes Yassin Pasha, vyho is closely identified with the Nationalists.

The announcement from Bagdad quickly followed the Daily Telegraph's hint of what was to happen. It took the press of this country generally by surprise, especially as it implies the abandonment of the mandate. No announcement of any such intention had ; been mado in London and no information can bo obtained from the Colonial Office. General Jafar Pasha, Irak Minister in London, in the courso of a statement gays;—"Tho significance of the new Coalition Cabinet at Bagdad lies in the fact that the policy in respect to relations with Britain is not changed. All sections of the population of Irak, without distinction of party, want the mandate replaced by a treaty of friendship which will leave Irak free to develop her own resources, particularly her own defence.", ■'"The' Morning Post says it is expected that the new treaty will be on tho lines oi the Tecently made treaty with Egypt.