Baghdad Aug 7 Dearest Father. I do not know if Edwin has told you of our correspondence by telegram which I send you herewith. When I received the telegram I drafted the answer and sent in both to AT [Wilson]. He replied with the note enclosed and we talked the matter over this morning. I said I thought it had been quite inevitable that people should have known that our opinions diverged because I had always been in favour of Arab institutions and had always said so - to AT first and foremost - but in that respect hadn't differed in any degree from the declarations of H.M.G. The particular instance which he had from S. Talib this morning was manifestly absurd - it was a rumour that I was opposed to the Committee of ex-Deputies whereas I was one of the channels through which the idea had flowed - it wasn't originally my idea. But that if, as it seemed, I was made a peg on which to hang opposition to A.T., I thought it would be much better if he would send me on leave to India till Sir P. returned. He wouldn't agree to that and I didn't feel justified in insisting on it, though all he said was that (a) he himself was soon going and (b) I might be of use to his successor. He was however very fair and reasonable. I think (as indeed I suggested to Sir P. [Percy] in the middle of the winter) that it would have been better if I had gone away then, for I don't think I was being of any particular use and it must have been very tiresome for AT to know that I was not in agreement with him over the fundamental issue. But what he actually said when I asked him if he approved of my consorting with the Young Arabs was: "I like to have a foot in both camps" and I reminded him of that phrase. With regard to correspondence I said his note left me in amazement for I could not remember any conversation of the kind he quoted. He said vaguely that it had occurred a year and a half ago à propos of my writing to Sir A. Hirtzel. I can't take my dying oath it didn't but I feel almost convinced that I should not have forgotten it if it had. I then said that for instance, when I wrote to Mr Asquith last week I sent him the letter and we even discussed it without his ever mentioning that he should prefer it not to be sent. I thought it was scarcely fair to raise objections, which he hadn't raised when I expressly gave him the opportunity of doing so. I then found that what he was chiefly anxious about was whether I had written to Domnul - poor Domnul to whom I've written twice in the last 11 months! - or to the India Office. I observed that on the few occasions on which I had written to Sir Arthur I had written almost invariably with his knowledge and sometimes with his hearty approval - I once wrote defending AT from some unjustifiable charges and he was grateful to me for writing. I also pointed out that Edwin's warning specifically mentioned non-official persons. AT replied that he objected to any private communications with the I.O. and I answered that I thought it quite preposterous but that it wasn't a matter of any moment, and I would certainly comply with his wishes. So will you please tell Domnul that he is put on the index! So is Edwin, but I told AT that I intended to write and tell him so. Sur ce he thanked me for my frankness and we shook hands warmly - well, you can't shake hands anything but warmly when the temp is 115° - but what he really thinks I'm blessed if I know and if occasion offers I shall again raise the question of going to India. It very rarely occurs, in my differences of opinion, that one side is wholly in the right and the other wholly in the wrong, and I can't conceive that I should be in the former position. I'm not using that phrase for the first time, I must tell you; I've often said it to Arabs when we have been discussing their grievances. What I do hold however with regard to AT is that to the best of my ability I have faithfully reported all these conversations and I think he ought to have let me know that (or if) he didn't approve of them. There is {another} point with which I charge my conscience and it is that there have been several occasions on which I've been very ragingly angry because of his insolent rudeness; and when you're in that temper you possibly don't give Arab interlocutors the impression of being heartily and hotly in sympathy with your chief. They have never, however, directly discussed him with me which I shouldn't have permitted, but I suspect they are aware that until AT made a volte face in April, I wasn't in sympathy. Nor was I, though I can remember many occasions when I defended the general policy, just because I thought it better to do so. Anyhow that is what has happened as far as I can tell it from my side - I daresay it looks different from AT's and you must bear that in mind also. I think I would like you to keep all this to yourself - except of course from Mother and Maurice, and if you think fit Domnul also, only you must tell him it's very private. In the first place I'm not anxious to present a divided front which could do us nothing but harm and in the second I don't think it's creditable to me that I haven't managed to keep the balance more even. But the real lesson is, I think, that one can't work with people when one disagrees with them in fundamental principles and if that's the case one had better go. I shall be glad to have your advice, criticism and even disapproval, for guidance. Aug 8. [8 August 1920] On the whole, the political situation is improving. S. Talib is showing considerable skill. They have got the committee of ex-deputies going and it has co-opted additional members, very wisely, I think, not excluding some of its most ardent opponents. Whether they will accept the invitation to take part I don't know. If they don't, they have at any rate had the opportunity and failure to avail themselves of it rests on themselves. S. Talib made an excellent opening speech in which he said inter alia that the Committee was not an end in itself but a means to the end which was desired by all alike. There's a representative of Govt., Mr Norton (you remeber we met him and his bride breakfasting at Ur) who takes no part in the proceedings and is merely there for reference. And one of the secretaries is a very level-headed little Persian, late A.P.O. at Karbala. Some of the young hot-heads of the town indulge in the wildest talk. One of them came to S.T. and told him his life was in danger. Another hurled an insult in the street at one of the deputies from Basrah [Basrah, Al (Basra)], he, not being a man of great personal courage, has I believe not left his room since! The military position is also growing more stable with the arrival of fresh troops from India. The Euphrates tribes are still in full reBellion but they have had one or two nasty knocks and they are said to be getting a little tired of Jihad. If only they would throw their hands in before we are in a position to take extreme measures, it would be an immense relief. Order must be restored but it's a very doubtful triumph to restore it at the expense of many Arab lives. I have visitors most mornings in my house before breakfast. S. Talib sends in a report through one of the deputies - often by a very nice Xian from Mosul [Mawsil, Al], you saw him but you won't remember him. Daud Yusfani is his name. He is Col. Nalder's political attaché and a very sensible man. Today S.T. came himself while I was breakfasting and we had a long and entertaining talk. He garnishes his conversation with truly charming oriental parables. Today he was talking about people having wits and no judgement. He said "There was once a man who sent his son to [a] teacher to be educated and after a bit he came to the teacher and asked him how the boy was getting on. 'Effendim' said the teacher 'I can do nothing with him. Suppose I were to pick up a mouse and hold it in my clenched hand, I might say to him: What's this I've got in my hand? and he would answer: An animal. I would say: What colour is it? Black, he would answer. How many feet has it? I would ask. Four, he would reply. And then I would say: What sort of animal is it? And he would just as likely as not reply: A buffalo.'" Capt. Clayton and I took S.T. to lunch with Sir Aylmer. It was very successful in so far as S.T. talked the whole time and therefore I hope he enjoyed himself. But he is not at his best in English and Sir Aylmer didn't understand half what he said - nor did I, but I thought it perhaps as well, for he was showing off too much. I had a very pleasant dinner last night with the Nortons, to meet Rauf Chadirji, whom I've often told you about - he speaks quite good English - and Saiyid Husain Afnan. You may remember the latter - he was in partnership with Mahmud Shabandar and he talks admirable English. He is now going to start a newpaper, in the interests of the moderate party which S.T. is forming. He will often appear in these pages, for he is a great friend of mine. He is as clever as he can be and I do hope his paper will be a success. I dined also with Col Slater to meet a Bellgian called Molitor, fresh from Persia where he is something in the Post Office. It was so desperately hot that I nearly didn't go, but I was rewarded for he was very interesting. He said he thought there was a great revulsion among the Persian people against Bolshevism which has shown its most violent aspects in the Caucasus [Bol'shoy Kavkaz]. Nationalization of women has been preached and practised, to the horror of Moslem Persia, and the massacre of numbers of Mohammadans has not produced a pleasant effect. Although they eagerly want to open the trade with Russia, on which N. Persia depends, they think the price of letting in the Bolshevists is too heavy to pay. It will be an inestimable advantage to us here if Persia can achieve political liberty without revolution. The news from Syria is beginning to come in - as usual by means of 'Aqail, the merchants of the desert. A very big caravan arrived this week, led by my special friend Mansur al Rumaih who came in next day to see me. I think I'll send you his report, so that you may see the kind of way we get our information. Though I deplore the whole business it will have a quieting effect at this moment. This was Mansur's opinion and he said with a twinkle that he thought he might shortly have a little business down Karbala way and incidentally relate what he had heard and seen. He also despatched a telegram to an 'Aqaili friend in Suq al Shuyukh [Suq ash Shuyukh], describing the dangers the caravan had run and how thank God they had all come in safely. "He talks a great deal" he said as I took it down from his dictation; "But no, we'll send it to his father. He talks even more." So we sent it to the father and I suppose by this time there's not a man within earshot of Suq who hasn't heard it. The nicest thing I do is bathing with the Tods. It has been very hot, high temp. and south wind. The pleasure that it is to feel really cool for half an hour - and even for quite a long time after. Last bathe, we supped on a sandy island and came back in the hot dark. We are going somewhere tonight also. Sir Aylmer drops in from time to time and is always very pleasant. I think he'll pull through now with fresh troops coming. But they were essential. Your beautiful watch has arrived. I'll consult Major Gillan about presenting it to Sh. Ibrahim. Also all the shears and scissors which I will take out to Haji Naji next time Gen. Hambro drives me in his motor. Bless you for all these things. You didn't send me the letter about Mme Sevian's carpet but next time I see her I'll convey the bad news that the South Ken. doesn't want it. I wonder if they are right in their judgement. It was Sarre, who is a considerable authority, who pronounced in its favour. I have delightful letters from you and Mother - June 24,29 and 30. Tell her I love her description of Neville Talbot's consecration. I'm so glad the carpets are such a success. Of course I'll send back Maurice's valise at the first good opportunity. I don't want another thank you. I don't think it's true about the price on my head - at least I never heard of it. I think it would be very galling to be set at a low value. Dearest, I have wished for you this week. However it has been a comfort to write. Ever your very affectionate daughter Gertrude I can't think there's anything in this part of my letter which isn't public to my family.