The British administration of Mesopotamia since 1915-16 was the subject of an interesting statement by Earl Curzon in the House of Lords recently. The policy of the Government has been to galvanize into activity the interest of the people in the question of government, towards which end a new constitution is being drafted for submission to the League of Nations for approval. The mandate provided for the framing of an organic law to be promoted with representative Arab opinion, As to the cost of the civil adu'inistration of Mesopotamia in the last five years there had been a surplus of receipts over expenses of nearly £1,000,000. If financial success is to be the test of all undertakings, the British administration of Mesopotamia must be deemed satisfactory, but Earl Curzon gave a further and excellent reason for combating any suggestion to leave the country. Mesopotamia he said was surrounded by a sea of ferment and anarchy, almost of chaos, and it, would be madness and a derogation of our duty and honour if we were to lea Tu such circunistances rear Britain having taken upon herself. Mesopotamia as a responsibility of peace cannot discard the country when its affairs are burdensome, though everyone. will welcome' Vicount Milner's deprecation of pessimism. Indeed given an early peace in other parts of the Near East, cur military commitments in Mespot should be quickly reduced.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.