Evening star., 1948-02-01

Lney pSTSlSteQ, Tile EcSeAt, AO0u&
1ilah, went into conference with po-
iitical leaders and presently issued
a statement that there would be no
ratification of a treaty which does
not realize the country's rights and
national demands" That was OBJ
vio,lsly a temporizing formula
which might mean almost anything.
Meanwhile, in London, Premier
Jabr was as astounded as the Brit
ish. He denounced the demonstra-
tions as the work Of destructive
elements who exploited some inno-
cent students and succeeded In
creating disorders" Jahr went ON
to say that he was confident OF
Strengthening matters out when he
went home and explained the treaty
to Parliament and the public. How
ever. when the Premier did reach
Baghdad, rioting broke out worse
than ever and he not only felt COM
PEELED to resign, but had to flee for
his very life. escaping by airplans
to Trans-Jordan. For the moment.
the political scene Is one of great
confusion, with the regent trying to
form some sort of coalition govern
ment as stopgap. 1t is generally
expected that the first act OF this
new cabinet will be to repudiate ths
treaty.
Communist Hand Seen
Such are the facts. Now what Is
the explanation of this strange
affair? 1t seems to be due to q
number of contributing factors,
some of which will sound curious In
western ears yet which reveal ths
uncertainties and hidden pressures
that underlie Iraq's political life.
AS might, have been expected,
Communist influence has undoubt-
edly played part. Yet Communist
agitation and intrigue have acted,
not so much directly as in the ma
ture of sort of catalyst, bringing
together diverse influences for
common end. The Communists
have played cleverly upon the fanat-
ical nationalism of the students and
other members of the younger gen.
GRAFTON, who want to throw out all
foreign influences, even when these
are beneficial to the country. In
practice, this means Britain. And
Iraqi hypernationalism long has
had a Jealous advocate in the per-
son of Rashid Ali ell Gallant, the
stormy petrol of Iraqi politics. CAL
lani tried to turn Iraq toward the
Axis in the early part Of World War
II. Expelled by the British, who
promptly entered Iraq, Gallant has
remained their bitter foe, tireless In
his intrigues and agitation. Gallant
Is now a refugee at the court of Ibn
Saud, the ruler of Saudi Arabia.
And thereby enters another factor.
Gallant Wins Asylum
Ibn Saud is the hereditary rival
of the Husseini family, who ruled
Mecca, the Holy City of Islam, until
Saud drove them out and added
Mecca to his dominions. But Hus-
semi monarchs sit on the thrones
of Iraq and Trans Jordan. There
fore this typically Arab family feud
complicates relations between the
three states. Saud never is averse
to seeing trouble among his Hus-
semi neighbors, and Gallant Is O
convenient pawn in the game.
Incidentally, Gallant rather miffed
Saud when he entered Saudi Arabia
as a refugee but without disclosing
his indentity. Reaching Saud's
presence, Gallant went through the
traditional rite of breaking bread
and slipping coffee before Saud rec
ognized him. Thereby he could
claim the sacred right of asylum.
When the diplomatic representative
of 1raq demanded Gallani's expul-
sion as a dangerous agitator, Saud
replied that he would rather send
one of his sons to be killed than
violate the tradition of hospitality
However, this sharp trick did not
detract from the fact that Gallant
could be useful to Saud. So the
matter had no untoward sequel.
Another anti-British factor In
1raq is its large Jewish population.
Numbering nearly 100000, the Yraqi
Jews are economically powerful,
largely controlling the business Of
They naturally have 10
love for the British. OF course, e,s
Moslem majority is violently anti
Zionist. But politics makes strange
bedfellows; so the nationalists and
Jews can join in damning the
treaty.
MoslemS Are Split
Another surprising factor Is the
religious split between the Moslems
themselves. Although the ruling
class in Iraq is OF the orthodox or
Sunni branch of Islam, a slight
majority of the population follows
The heretical Shiite creed, which
prevails in neighboring Iran or Per-
'ia. Now Premier Japr Is a Shiite-
,he first of his faith to attain Do
itical eminence. This has weak
ened his position and has tended to
strengthen the opposition to him in
circles.
Such are the factors which have
combined to precipitate the current
upset over the Anglo-Iranian treaty.
Is can readily be seen, most of them
lave little to do with the merits of
he treaty, as such. And 1t is hard
o see how Iraq will gain anything
" its rejection. The result will bs
hat the old treaty, which Is much
ess favorable to Iraq, remains In
orce and will rim a,Itornat;co,iw