and mentioned in Your Excellency's aforesaid letter. I forward herewith copy of Council of Ministers' resolution adopted at the meeting of the 26th June, 1924, in connection with the Anglo-French Boundary Convention," and copy of a letter from the Rais of the Royal Diwan containing important remarks with regard to the boundaries between 'Iraq and Syria, in order that all these remarks may receive careful consideration at the discussions which will take place in future in connection with the Boundary question. Yours sincerely,

JA FAR AL'ASKARI,
Prime Minister.

ENCLOSURE 1 IN NO. 2.

Copy of Council of Ministers' Resolution No. 6 adopted at the meeting of Thursday, the 26th June, 1924.

There was read out, Counsellor to His Excellency the High Commissioner for 'Iraq's letter, dated 23rd June, 1924, on the subject of the Anglo-French Boundary Convention, and also his letter, dated 11th June, on the same subject. Whereupon the Council of Ministers accepted the Anglo-French Boundary Convention resolving that it is necessary that the whole of the Jebal Sinjar should be included in ‘Iraq for the purpose of safeguarding 'Iraq interests.

ENCLOSURE 2 IN No. 2.

Copy of letter, dated 6th July 1924, from the Rais of the Royal Diwan to the Secretary to the Council of Ministers.

His Majesty has approved the Council of Ministers' resolutions adopted at the meeting held on the 26th June, 1924. But as regards resolution No. 6, while His Majesty agrees in principle to the contents thereof (i.e. the acceptance of the Anglo-French Boundary Convention) out of a desire to discharge the obligations undertaken towards our ally, Great Britain, His Majesty would, in the meantime, wish to invite the attention of the Council of Ministers to the serious nature of the discussions which will take place later on between the two parties for the final fixation of the 'Iraq-Syrian Boundary.

The firm establishment and continuance of good relations between any two countries depend, in the first place, on the boundaries between such countries being clearly set out and of a nature which will help to remove causes of dispute (or difference). And as the natural northern boundary between the two countries, 'Iraq and Syria, is the course of the Khabur river, His Majesty considers that any compromise that may be allowed in future in connection with this boundary which forms the only natural barrier (original partition) between the various zones and tribes, will inevitably lead to misunderstanding and to the disturbance of good relations. Such an eventuality is undoubtedly inconsistent with the wishes of the two parties and not in their interest. I have, therefore, been directed by His Majesty to invite the attention of the Council to this vital point in order that it may constantly keep it before its eyes in future. U. E.

RUSTAM HAIDAR.

II. MINISTRY OF INTERIOR.

1. Internal Administration.

ORGANIZATION.

The portfolio of Interior was held by the Prime Minister, 'Abdul Muhsin Beg al Sa'dun, till 16th November, 1923, when on the formation of the Cabinet of Ja'far Pasha al 'Askari, 'Ali Jaudat Beg, Mutasarrif of Muntafiq, was appointed Minister.

In August, 1924, 'Abdul Muhsin Beg resumed the office of Minister of Interior in the cabinet of Yasin Pasha al Hashimi. Mr. K. Cornwallis, C.B.E., D.S.O., continues to perform the duties of Adviser to Interior and Chief of the Inspectorate Staff, in addition to that of Personal Adviser to the King.

Certain changes have been made in the administrative divisions of the country, the most important of which are that in April, 1923, 'Arbil, which had been, since 1921, a Subdivision under Kirkuk, was returned to the full status of a Division, and that in March, 1924, Sulaimaniya was also reconstituted as a Division of 'Iraq. The Divisions now number 14, and are as follows:Basra, Muntafiq, Diwaniya, Hilla, Karbala, 'Amara, Kut, Baghdad, Dulaim, Diyala, Kirkuk, Sulaimaniya, ‘Arbil and Mosul.

The chief administrative officer of a Division or Liwa is the Mutasarrif; under him are the Qaimmaqams at the head of the Qadhas into which the Liwa is divided. The Qadhas are subdivided into Nahiyahs under Mudirs. Mutasarrifs and Qaimmaqams (through Mutasarrifs) are responsible to the Ministers of Interior and Finance jointly, but in Nahiyahs, administrative and financial duties were formerly divided. The former were assigned to the Mudir, the latter to an official called the Mamur Shu'bah. Early in January, 1924, the Council of Ministers decided to alter this organization by assigning both administrative and financial duties to a single official, to be called Mudir of the Nahiyah. The Mamur Shu'bah has thus been abolished and the new type of Mudir will be responsible to both Ministries, through the Qaimmaqam and Mutasarrif. This system should prove more economical and it should also avoid unnecessary reduplication of work.

The British advisory side of the administration is represented by Administrative Inspectors whose functions were defined by the Administrative Inspectorate Law, passed in January, 1923.

TRANSFER OF PROPERTY TAX.

Another important decision of the Council which directly affected the Ministry of Interior was taken in August, 1923, namely, the transfer of property tax revenues from the budget of municipalities to that of the State, with effect from 1st April, 1923. Although it was decided at the same time that the 12 per cent.

of gross revenue formerly paid by municipalities as a contribution to Government should revert to them, in the majority of cases this did not compensate them for the loss of the Property Tax. Municipal budgets have been difficult to adjust, but it is anticipated that general advantage will accrue from a more efficient assessment and collection of the tax.

GENERAL FEATURES OF ADMINISTRATION.

Local administration has pursued an even course during the year, undistorted by political agitation. Any problems which have arisen have sprung from natural causes such as cannot be eliminated in a day. Tribal lawlessness still lifts its head among the strong confederations of the middle and lower Euphrates, nor is the ordinary machinery of administration always sufficient to quell it. Fundamental agrarian questions have yet to be solved, the relations between shaikh and sarkal, and of both to the central authority, still lack definition and the tribesman has not relinquished his primeval preference for taking the settlement of his disputes with his fellows into his own hand, without reference to the law of the land.

There is, however, a distinct improvement and already over most areas normal conditions of administration prevail and the authority of government is recognised. The whole valley of the Tigris is free from the danger of serious disturbance and the same applies to the Euphrates valley from Hilla to the frontier, while Kirkuk and ‘Arbil are among the best administered Divisions of 'Iraq. The action taken in the 'Afaq, Samawa and Chabaish areas has done much to stabilize the administration in the Middle and Lower Euphrates. It is satisfactory to observe that in general there is close co-operation between the 'Iraq official and his British adviser or Inspector and not infrequently the local knowledge of the one and the training of the other combine to form a highly efficient unit.

Considerable advance has been made towards the selection and organization of a regular civil service. In March, 1924, it was decided to form a joint selection board composed of members of the Ministries of Interior and Finance for the purpose of advising on the appointment, transfers and dismissal of Mutasarrifs, Qaimmaqams and Mudirs. This board has already done valuable work in securing a better type of official and has proved an effective check on favouritism. At the same time a system for the examination of candidates was established and extended to all existing officials of the two lower grades, with the result that many of these were eliminated.

The general level of capacity and integrity among the higher officials is undoubtedly rising year by year. Flagrant practice of corruption has on more than one occasion led to official enquiries with salutary effect; 'Iraq officials are gaining in administrative experience and many are showing initiative and activity in dealing with the problems of their district.

TRIBAL DISPUTES REGULATIONS.

In tribal areas increasing use has been made of the tribal majlis as a means of dealing not only with tribal disputes, but with all questions which affect the tribes, and it has undoubtedly done good work; but it has tended to become too much stereotyped and Mutasarrifs have been inclined to use it as a means of shelving their own responsibilities. Steps have been taken to give it more efficiency.

AGRARIAN SETTLEMENT.

The agrarian question, more acute in the Muntafiq Division than elsewhere in 'Iraq, is still as far from solution as before and demands a comprehensive agrarian survey. As occasion permitted, such surveys have been carried out over sections of various districts.

MOSUL CENSUS.

A census was carried out in Mosul Division during the year 1923. This produced a total population of 222,011, but this figure is considered to be about two-thirds of the true figure at which the population should stand, as the tribal population could not be registered.

CONTROL OF SHAMMAR NOMADS.

The control exercised by Government over the nomadic Shammar in the desert west of Mosul is still imperfect. The depredations of the Shammar shaikhs have been partially checked by the adoption by the 'Iraq Government of the policy of making Shaikh 'Ajil al Yawar responsible for the tribe and backing him strongly with official support. But the right claimed by the shaikhs, and formerly admitted by the Turkish Government, to collect dues upon all sheep grazing in the desert, upon wayfarers and caravans and even on the cultivation on the fringe of the Jazira steppe, is a scourge which is difficult to eradicate. It is the effort of Government to limit it as far as possible, but the villages along the Tigris which send out their sheep to pasturage find themselves obliged to meet the demands of the Shammar so as to secure the safety of their flocks, while the merchants who take sheep across the desert for the Syrian market are particularly harshly treated. Every ragged party of tribesmen whom they meet will demand the present of a sheep, and although in theory the caravan is under the protection of the shaikh to whom the dues (Khuwah) were paid, a second shaikh will often claim and enforce payment to himself; moreover, the tribal guard, which fulfils its purpose so ill, lives upon the shepherds and their flocks. Until the three governments of 'Iraq, Syria and Turkey combine in a concerted scheme for the protection of trade routes, it is doubtful whether these exactions can be stopped.

It is partly owing to the heavy tolls levied by the Shammar that trade with Syria is disappointing to Mosul. At present it usually goes via Baghdad, the charges on that road being lower, while it enjoys greater immunity from the rapacity of the tribesmen.

2. Municipalities.

ORGANIZATION.

Municipalities are in charge of elective municipal councils, the members of which are elected for a term of four years, half the number retiring every second year.

The Mayor, or Rais Baladiyah, is appointed by the Mutasarrif, who selects his nominee from among the elected members. But in Baghdad the Lord Mayor, or Amin al 'Asimah, is appointed by the Ministry of Interior with the approval of the Cabinet.

THE LARGER TOWNS.

Of the larger towns, the Municipalities of Baghdad and Basra have been precluded from making any considerable development by the loss of their chief source of revenue, the Property Tax. In Mosul, municipal finances have been incompetently handled and little has been done beyond the completion of a scheme for supplying the town with water. The cholera epidemic which began at Mohammerah in the autumn of 1923, put a heavy burden on the Public Health Department, which showed itself equal to the task imposed on it.

SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES.

Towns of the calibre of 'Amara, Nasiriya, and Hilla will be forced to strict economy in order to meet the loss of the Property Tax. As a rule the quality of the municipal Councils depends very largely on the energy and capacity of the mayor, but on the whole the towns are creditably managed and in places where the mayor is an exceptionally capable man, as, for example, in the case of Kirkuk, the standard rises considerably higher. As compared with Turkish times the improvement is remarkable. The neglect and filth which characterised the provincial towns has everywhere vanished. The streets are decently kept and lighted by electricity, the bazaars sanitary, the water supply clean. The standard of living has risen. Besides water and light, the local municipalities not infrequently run ice and soda water plants. Other municipal enterprises, such as flour mills, have been attempted, but rarely with success.

As for still smaller municipalities or townships with a population of two to three thousand, it must be admitted that if they are usually solvent it is because they incur little or no expenditure on public services. It is, however, recorded that a mayor of a reed-hut village, some 15 miles from the divisional