pudiate treaty. Cornwallis intends play for time until next arrival troops. British are on lookout for possible German infiltrations from Iran or German troop arrivals by transport planes./ KNABENSHUE 890G.00/576: Telegram The Secretary of State to the Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) WASHINGTON, April 22, 1941-6 p. m. 43. Your 89, April 19, 3 p. m. The Department agrees that a written communication to the Foreign Minister is unnecessary at this time. However, there is no objection to your establishing informal contact without instructions on the question of official recognition. HULL 890G.00/587: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, April 28, 1941-5 p. m. [Received 8:30 p. m.] 103. Referring my 97, April 24.34 Saw Foreign Minister today informing him I had been authorized establish informal contact with him. He did not press for anything further at this juncture. KNABENSHUE 890G.00/590: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, April 29, 1941-10 p. m. [Received April 30-7:30 a. m.] 108. British Ambassador informed me this afternoon that he gathers from his long conversation with Gailani yesterday that the Iraq Government may rupture diplomatic relations with Britain on grounds of violation of treaty. With established air bases in Iraq and presence of troops which are to be further reinforced middle May the result of such action by Iraq Government would be obvious-crushing of present government and army by the British and restoration of legal Iraqi Government and return of Abdul Allah [Ilah] to resume regency. In view of illegality of present government and its hostile attitude interfering with "Not printed. British war effort it would seem British would be justified in such action. Moreover, most better Iraqi politicians and public would welcome it. Total evacuation of British women and children has alarmed Iraqis. It shows British mean business and it might have salutary effect. 390G.1115/15: Telegram KNABENSHUE The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, April 29, 1941-11 p. m. [Received 11:23 p. m.] 109. Referring my 107 of even date.35 All American women and children left Baghdad this afternoon, with one exception, who refused to leave. KNABENSHUE 740.0011 European War 1939/10502: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, April 30, 1941-5 p. m. [Received 10:30 p. m.] 110. Midnight last night mobile units Iraqi Army including tanks, armored cars, field guns, cavalry and infantry commenced passing Legation from their nearby base. I sent for British intelligence officer, my neighbor. He went to Embassy and from there notified British Air Base at Habbaniya. This was first notice they received of the event. This Iraq Army proceeded to Habbaniya arriving before dawn and took up commanding positions on heights overlooking the air base. The commander of the base was then informed that the army was engaged in exercises and that if any British planes should leave the ground the army would attack. The reply was that the British Air Force was also under instructions to exercise and that if Iraqi Army should interfere it would be considered an act of war. British Air Force believe they can dispose of Iraqi Army in short order. Iraq Government has issued notice informing public they have offered British all facilities in accordance with treaty but that British have made demands which infringe Iraq's sovereignty and consequently the army has taken charge and will defend sovereign rights of country. A mixed lot of Americans and miscellaneous foreigners and some Iraqi subjects numbering about 100 fearing mob violence have taken refuge in Legation. 35 Not printed. KNABENSHUE 740.0011 European War 1939/10587: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, May 4, 1941. [Received May 4-8:30 p. m.] 113. Diplomatic missions are not permitted send code telegrams. Radio transmitting sets in all diplomatic missions have been taken over by the Government. One hundred and sixty men, women, and children of various nationalities have taken refuge in the Legation since April 30th. The Government has placed a strong police guard around the Legation for its protection and has kindly permitted the delivery of food to the Legation. I have given a personal guarantee to the Government that no British subjects who have taken refuge in the Legation will leave the Legation compound until the situation is clarified. American women who went to Habbaniya under safe conduct given by Government reached there safely. I know that some of the women reached Basrah from Habbaniya safely but have no information regarding the rest of them including my wife and Mrs. Mattison. I have no knowledge regarding situation more than I have seen British bombers operating over Baghdad and Rashid camp near the Legation and have received an official note from the Foreign Office informing me that a hospital at Rashid camp hit and one person killed and two wounded. KNABENSHUE 740.0011 European War 1939/10630: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, May 4, 1941. [Received May 5-10:50 a. m.] 115. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in an official note requests me to inform the Department that on May 3rd a British plane tried to bomb a Mosque situated at Falujah at the time tribesmen were making their prayers.36 The Ministry points out that this horrible action which is not based on any human principles caused public disturbances and consternation and that this action will show the civilized world what the British forces are doing now against all rules of war of the civilized world. This morning at 11:00 the Ministry for Foreign Affairs informed me that the commanding officer of the British forces in Iraq sent an 36 In later telegrams (No. 118, undated, No. 119, May 20, and No. 120, May 22) the Minister Resident in Iraq reported further Iraqi protests against alleged British bombing or machine gunning from the air of hospital cars and places inhabited by civilians (740.00116 European War 1939/384, 388; 740.0011 European War 1939/11117). 409021-59-33 ultimatum to the Iraqi Government demanding the withdrawal of the Iraq Army from the neighborhood of Habbaniya within 4 hours the time limit of which would expire at 12:00 noon today and that failure to comply with the terms of the ultimatum would result in the bombing of the public buildings of Baghdad by the British Air Force. The Iraqi Government sent a counter ultimatum to the effect that if the British bombed the public buildings of Baghdad the Iraq Government would bomb British subjects wherever they might be found. About an hour later I was informed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that the Iraqi Government demanded that I should deliver to the appropriate Iraqi authorities, who would call at the Legation, all British subjects who had taken refuge at the Legation. I agreed to comply with this request immediately upon receipt of an official note from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs guaranteeing the proper treatment due to the British subjects in the present circumstances in accordance with the accepted principles of international law. I was informed that an official note making the demand and giving the guarantees I demanded would be handed to me when the appropriate authorities would call at the Legation for delivery of the British subjects. I have since been informed that the British subjects will be removed from the Legation when a suitable internment camp has been prepared for them. KNABENSHUE 740.0011 European War 1939/10693: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, May 5, 1941-7 p. m. [Received May 6-3: 27 p. m.] 116. Department's telegram via London 37 stating my 110 38 last received. My 115, May 4 the last sent. No. 114 was canceled. Americans at Legation are well. I am informed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs that the Jesuit Fathers of the Jesuit College and Dr. and Mrs. Staudt of American Boys School who elected remain at their respective schools are well, and also that one American Jesuit Father and a Miss Adams at the British Embassy are presumably still there. The Ministry Foreign Affairs will inquire and report to me regarding whereabouts and welfare of the Willoughby family at Mosul. Referring to my 113,39 I suggest that Department make inquiries through other channels regarding American women who left here for Basra via Habbaniya and also regarding Americans at Basra. I have been and am continuing to be absolutely correct in the matter of the persons of various nationalities who have taken refuge in the Legation and in all other respects thus endeavoring to retain the confidence in me of the Ministry Foreign Affairs and thereby receive their cooperation to ensure the protection of the people who have taken refuge here and the inviolability of the Legation in accordance with the accepted principles of international law. I have nothing further to report at this time. Please acknowledge in plain language receipt of this and previous telegrams. KNABENSHUE 124.90G6/40: Telegram The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State BAGHDAD, May 7, 1941-1 p. m. [Received May 9-6:08 p. m.] 117. Ministry Foreign Affairs now informs me that code telegrams may be sent to and received from their governments by diplomatic missions. As certain circumstances compelled me to destroy all my codes and confidential files on May 4th I can now send and receive only in plain language. All is well with us all at the Legation. I beg the Department not to give anything to the press or radio broadcast about the Legation. I have nothing further to report at this time. KNABENSHUE 740.0011 European War 1939/10893: Telegram The Ambassador in Turkey (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State ANKARA, May 13, 1941-noon. [Received 10:05 p. m.] 143. For Secretary and Under Secretary. Iraqi War Minister Naji Shawket (formerly Minister here) who arrived 5 days ago has evidently sought to obtain this Government's assistance in formulating acceptable basis of understanding with British. Turkish Foreign Office officials in course of conversations made plain to him their conviction that Iraq had violated its treaty of alliance with Britain and taken course whose successful outcome could only place it and Moslem world at mercy of power far less indulgent and more oppressive. (2) Upon being informed by Turks of tenor of Naji's suggestions for accord British Ambassador asked Foreign Minister to advise him that his Government still intends to respect independence of Iraq to fullest extent compatible with rights under treaty of alliance but cannot accept limitation or qualification of its discretion as to |