IOR/L/PS/18/B283

This printed report, compiled by John Evelyn Shuckburgh of the Political Department, India Office, for the Eastern Committee, concerns the civil administration of Mesopotamia between 15 November 1917 and 15 January 1918. It consists of summaries of the first five periodical administrative reports (periods ending 15 November 1917, 1 December 1917, 15 December 1917, 31 December 1917, and 15 January 1918) submitted by Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, Civil Commissioner, Mesopotamia. It consists of a 'Note by the Political Department, India Office'. The five summary administrative reports contain details regarding tribal affairs, irrigation and agriculture, land revenues, supplies, education, and waqfs (religious foundations), affairs on the Euphrates, customs, sanitation, cotton, affairs of the Persian frontier, and affairs of Nejef (al-Najaf). The administrative report summaries are supplemented by brief references to other reports that have reached the India Office, including details of the attitude of notables in Basra district, the labour questions, and administration of justice in the Baghdad vilayet, and restriction of alienation of land. There is also a section concerning personnel serving under Cox on 1 February 1918.