1. 'Mesopotamia. Proposed Constitution: Telegraphic Correspondence with Baghdad'

Description:

Abstract: This printed memorandum, dated July 1920, contains a series of reprinted telegrams in a single collection for the purposes of facilitating the discussions with Sir Percy Zachariah Cox on the proposed constitution for Mesopotamia [Iraq]. It is noted that the series is not complete, but contains all but vital telegrams. The series contains twenty telegrams between 20 March 1920 and 9 July 1920, between the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, and the Secretary of State. Topics covered include an overview of the ethnic and religious makeup of Mesopotamia, matters relating to the constitution and proposed Legislative Assembly, the San Remo Conference, and the decision to grant a mandate to Mesopotamia.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 118, and terminates at folio 123, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-153; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

2. 'Mesopotamia. Appointment of Sir Percy Cox as High Commissioner: Instructions of His Majesty's Government'

Description:

Abstract: This printed report published by the India Office contains two sets of draft instructions approved by the Finance Committee of the Cabinet for Sir Percy Zachariah Cox's personal guidance as High Commissioner for Mesopotamia to give effect to the policy of His Majesty's Government. The first set is an original draft, dated 5 August 1920, while the second set is a revised draft.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this sequence commences at folio 124, and terminates at folio 125, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-153 of the volume; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

3. Coll 17/5 'Iraq. Relations with Turkey'

Description:

Abstract: The file contains the following reports submitted by HM Ambassador to Turkey, Sir George Russell Clerk:Report on the visit of the Prime Minister of Iraq (General Nuri Pasha) to Turkey, to discuss frontier delimitation, the Mosul Oilfields, the Iraqi policy towards the Kurds, French attempts at interference in Anglo-Turkish relations, and the completion of the Turco-Iraqi commercial treaty.Report on the visit of the High Commissioner for Iraq (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Francis Humphrys) to Turkey, to discuss the Kurds, and the Permanent Frontier Commission.Report on the treaty negotiations between Turkey and Iraq, including discussions of means to prevent robberies on the Turco-Iraqi border, and the reinterpretation of Article 14 of the Anglo-Turco-Iraqi Treaty of 1926 regarding Turkish Petroleum Company royalties.The file also contains a telegram regarding a visit by the Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs to Iraq to discuss the oil supply issue.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (folio 1).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 12; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

4. Coll 17/8(1) 'Shaikh of Koweit: Date Gardens of the Sheikh in Iraq'

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of extensive correspondence, memoranda and reports regarding the Faddaghiyeh Estates of the Shaikh of Kuwait, changes made to their tax-exempt status, and lawsuits regarding their ownership.The records provide details of the lawsuits brought against the Shaikh of Kuwait in the Iraqi courts by the heirs of the previous owners of the Bashiyeh and Faddaghiyeh properties. These rested on claims that the original sales were not correctly registered with the Tapu Department under the old Ottoman Law, as the Shaikh had refused to take out Turkish nationality papers. The file also concerns changes to the tax-exempt status of the date gardens, following the instigation of the Istihlak tax by the Government of Iraq. Questions arose as to whether the Government of Iraq was obligated to guarantee the tax-exempt status originally granted by HM Government (HMG), and whether HMG was obligated to compensate the Shaikh for loss of revenue. The correspondence on file primarily concerns attempts by British Officials to defend the Shaikh's status as owner of the date gardens, and discussions about possible compensation.The principal correspondents and authors are: the High Commissioner for Iraq (Francis Henry Humphrys), the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office, the Political Agent, Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Hugh Vincent Biscoe), HM Ambassador to Iraq, HM Counsellor to HM Embassy, Iraq (Sir George Arthur Ogilvie-Forbes), and the Legal Secretary to the High Commissioner for Iraq (John Harry Barclay Nihill). The volume also contains translations of letters received from the Shaikh of Kuwait (Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ), his Basra Agent (Abdul Aziz as Salim al-Badr), his lawyer (Jacob Gabriel), and the Government of Iraq.The following reports and legal documents appear within the volume:Memorandum prepared by the Judicial Advisor to the High Commissioner for Iraq (G Alexander), regarding attempts made to deprive the Shaikh of Kuwait of certain of his date gardens, ff 658-679.Translation of judgement No. 77/930, issued on 30th December 1931 by the Court of First Instance, Basrah; and translation of decree No. 66/932 dated 9 May 1932, issued by the Court of Appeal, Baghdad, for service on the Shaikh of Kuwait, ff 634-644.Short histories of the Shaikh of Kuwait's Bashiyeh and Faddighiyeh gardens on the Shatt al Arab from the time of their purchase to date, written by the Political Agent, Kuwait, ff 621-629.List of persons to be served with legal documents from the Court of First Instance, Basrah, f 533.'The Date Gardens in Iraq of the Sheikhs of Koweit and Mohammerah. Scope of Undertakings given by HM Government in 1914. Case for the Opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown, and Opinion Thereof', ff 458-476.Explanatory notes with accompanying sketch map of the Faddaghiyeh Estate, ff 205-209.English translations of the four Tapu deeds connected with the Faddaghiyeh Estate dispute (deeds originally dated August 1915), ff 90-99.Copy power of attorney document, written in Turkish, issued by the TC Asliye Mahkemesi Altinci Hukuk Dairesi 6 [Turkish Republic Civil Court of First Instance, 6th Law Department] on the 15 Ramandan 1326 [1908] in favour of Ahmet Pasha Kazim Azzubair, ff 78-80.The file continues with Collection 17/8 part 2, reference IOR/L/PS/12/2854.The volume includes dividers which give lists of correspondence references found within the volume by year. These are placed at the end of the correspondence (folios 4-5).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 723; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 4-721, and ff 695-721; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.