Evening star., 1942-08-08
Replies To Criticism
OF Iraq Nation.

Of lfAQ NAuon.
To the Editor Of The Star:
In an article published in The Sunday
Star of August z, William T. Ellis,
under pretext OF the danger In which
the oil regions OF the Middle East now
lie. tries to give false and unfriendly
impression of the Kingdom Of 1raq.
This gentleman pretends to know the
country we'll. If this is true, then we
must grant him a talent for hiding the
whole truth and for inventing all sorts
Of fairy tales.
He begins by questioning the existence
of a real Iraqi nation because within It's
borders are many different races and
religions. This is an argument which
will not be favorably received by America
which consistently has refused to admit
that such differences make any obstacle
to the unity Of a nation. Furthermore,
the history Of the Arabs demonstrates
the glorious part they have played ever
since the time of the Abbasides who
ruled for centuries over the territories
which today practically form the young
Iraqi state.
Mr.. Ellis does not seem to admit that
4 nation has = right again to be free
and independent If In the past she has
lost her sovereignty for several hundred
years. remark which deserves to be
noted by the great and glorious coun-
tries OF Poland and Czecho-Slovakia.
This gentleman seems to ignore the
fact that in order to obtain their indie
pendence the Iraqi people. In 1920, did
not hesitate to shed their blood by the
thousands. How dare he. after that his
torical fact, pretend that they have no
patriotic sentiments?
Today, the population of 1raq is COM
posed chiefly of Arabs t75 per cent OF
its inhabitants), but $4,000 Kurds also
live there. Although Of different origin
from the Arabs, these Kurds have had
the same religion for more than ten GEN.
turies. The non-Moslem elements form
hardly 4 or per cent of the population.
These minorities who enjoy in every
thing absolute equality and liberty, IN
general have a deep attachment to their
native land They are proportlonally
represented in the two legislative assem-
blies and they perform in the Govern
ment several quite important functions.
During the reign of King Feisal l.,
Irau enjoyed 4 period Of progress and
prosperity which astonished every one
who visited the country at that time. In
1882, the League Of Nations unanimously
recognized Iraq as capable OF assuming
the responsibility for her independence.
Irau, proud of her history which has
made her famous throughout the world
since the fabulous reign Of Harun Ell
Rashid, conscious Of the sacrifices which
she deliberately made In order to gain
her independence. feels quite certain OF
her destiny as = united, free and inde-
dependent nation. K.
Argues for Unrestricted immigration
| After End Of War.
| To the Editor Of The Star:
1t has come to the American public s
| attention that after the war England
| and other countries propose to tighten
immigration laws for their colonies and
even contemplate prohibiting immigra-
ton entirely for many years to come.
England's colonies are at present SO
thinly populated that they are unable
to protect them from aggression. partly
due to the strict immigration laws
which have been In effect since the last
| v>y Va think the rNsfriettne of iYnYai-