The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1926. GREAT BRITAIN AND IRAQ.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16814, 4 June 1926, Page 6

The Waikato Times With which is Incorporated The Waikato Argus. FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1926. GREAT BRITAIN AND IRAQ.

There was recently issued in London a further White Paper on the subject of Iraq, containing an interesting memorandum on the administration of the Kurdish districts under tile rule of King Fcisal. When Great Britain was invited by the League of Nations io retain the mandate for Iraq for a longer period, it was laid down that in the Kurdish, country regard was to be paid to the desires of the Kurds that their officials should he of Kurdish race, and that Kurdish should be the official language in administrative business, in the dispensation of justice, and in the leaching in the schools. It was maintained at the time by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the condition had in fact been complied with already to a very large extent; and his contention is substantiated, in the latest memorandum by a whole scries of facts and figures. Out of a total of 57 officials employed under the Ministries of Finance and the Interior in the Kurdish districts, for instance, 43 are Kurds, while nine Kurds are employed ’in similar posts in non-Ivurd-ish areas. Of 13 officials engaged under the Ministry of Justice 10 arc Kurds, as are 3S out of 45 in a group of minor departments. There has been a steady progressive decline in the number of non-Kurds employed in non-Kurdish districts, and the policy of employing only Kurds, where suitable men are available and willing to serve, is being steadily followed. British policy has thus to a large extent anticipated the recommendations of the League, and lias afforded anqthcr example of the fact that between British colonial tradition and the mandate system of the League there is in practice no great difference. The development of the Kurdish written language is indeed largely due to the unprompted policy of the local British officials. Before the war a fair number cl' Kurdish poetical works were in existence, but Persian, Turkish, and Arabic were the languages used for all by colloquial purposes. The work begun by the Government of Occupation is now being loyally carried on by the Iraq Government. How far the sense of fairness and justice is inspiring the young regime of Baghdad was clearly seen in the speech of the Prime Minister of Iraq when he urged the Chamber of Deputies to pass Ihe new Anglo-lraq Treaty. “We should give the Kurds their rights,” he said. “ Their officials should be from amonc them; their tongue should be their official tongue, and their children should learn in their own longue in Hie schools." This declaration of policy was received with loud applause. Thus British ideals are making headway in that distant part of Hie world for which Britain is now responsible. The material beneflls which have been conferred upon Iraq are already considerable—communications have been greatly improved and the security of travel enhanced. Much more can be accomplished now that stability lias been gained and that there is ihe definite prospect of the development of Mosul in harmony with the rest of Iraq. In every way Britain is seeking to fulfil the promise made by General Maude on the day after his entry into Baghdad in 1917. In the tremendous pressure of the war his proclamation received comparatively little attention in England, but it is still well remembered by the Baghdadis. “ 0 people of Baghdad," it ran, “remember that for 26 generations you have suffered under strange tyrants who have endeavoured to set one Arab house against another in order that they might profit by your dissensions. This policy is abhorrent lo Great Britain and her Allies, for there can be neither peace nor prosperity where there is emnily and misgovermnent.” The task remaining for Great Britain, in order lo carry out General Maude's promise lo the full, is to improve and to stabilise Ihe relations of Iraq with her neighbours. A good beginning has been made in the sou'h-wesl, where Sir Gilbert Clayton has lately been instrumental in bringing about a friendly agreement between the Iraq Government and the Lord of Ncjd, and (he recent announcement that Turkey has accepted the Brussels line as ihe frontier and acquiesced in Britain continuing to administer Mosul shows that the Angora Government is disposed lo act in a conclialory spirit—a fact which augurs well for all concerned.