§ Sir JOHN JARDINEasked the Secretary of State for India if he can give any 342W details regarding the pillage by the Turks of the shrine at Kerbela held sacred by the Shia Mahomedans?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINsubmitted the following:—
From Sir P. Cox, dated 18th September, 1915. (Telegraphic.)
Following is account of revolution at Holy Places as reported by me on 14th June, with addition of further details received since. Dating approximately from their defeat at Shaiba, Turkish authorities and garrison at Holy Places have been inflicting gradually increasing oppression on populace, bleeding all and sundry of money, valuables, and food-stuffs, even guardians of shrines not immune. These malpractices were followed by endeavours to impress inhabitants for military service from among people of ages from twenty-six to sixty, and from classes to whom military service is distasteful. Result was serious local rioting. Toward end of May battalion with four guns was dispatched from Baghdad to Najaf to cow populace and with intention, according to popular belief, of appropriating treasures and relics of shrines on excuse of supporting Jihad. On arrival of troops endeavours to impress for military services were renewed, houses were raided at night, men seized and women molested on plea that they might be men in disguise. Large sums were extorted from others as price of immunity from conscription.
These proceedings exasperated community to such a pitch that they determined to defy Government troops. To this end they barricaded streets and houses and garrisoned precincts of shrines, in order to protect them from pillage. Turks at this stage turned their guns on rebels and, either by intention or accident, damaged minarets attached to shrine. Fighting continued for three days, at end of which populace got upper hand; troops surrendered and were disarmed by mob, who then proceeded to pillage. Government buildings, barracks, saniyah buildings, and town hall were burnt, and Kaimmakam's house demolished, he himself 343W being expelled. After above events the two Abar Chaiks of two leading resident tribes took over control of Najaf in consultation with chief priest, and have been maintaining order since. Outbreak at Najaf was followed by outbreaks of lesser magnitude at Karbala, Kufa, Hillah, and Tawairaj, the Turkish garrison and Government authorities being turned out.