On August 23rd Sir Percy Cox, our High Commissioner in
Mesopotamia, visited the palace of King Feisul at Bagdad to congratulate him on the anniversary of his accession. His way, however, was blocked by a crowd which was listening to hostile and inflammatory speeches on the British Mandate. Sir Percy vehemently protested against this incident and demanded the dismissal of the Chamberlain, who, in the King's illness, is held responsible. The kingdom of Irak is governed under a treaty between the British Government and King Feisul on the lines of an Indian Native State. There British adminis- trators have been long familiar with the policy of a calculated " diplomatic incident " as the first move in a hostile policy. Sir Percy Cox has at once taken strong action—has arrested several incendiaries and suppressed the organizations of two hostile political parties, and the situation is already reported to be much quieter.
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