King Feisal I of Iraq

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Feisal ibn Hussein (1885–1933) was the third son of the Sharif of Mecca, who declared independence from the Turks in 1916. He worked closely with the British during the First World War with T. E. Lawrence as his liaison officer. In 1920 he declared himself King of Syria and Palestine but was soon deposed by the French and driven from Damascus. The following year he was elected with British support to the throne of Iraq and ruled until his death. Like his brother Abdullah in Jordan, Feisal’s title initially was “Emir” and remained so as long as his country was under British protection and financially dependent upon London. Only with full independence would there be a change of title to “King.” In a telegram drafted—but not sent—in August 1921, Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill made clear to Sir Percy Cox, the Civil Commissioner in Baghdad, what was expected of Feisal.

I hope you will explain to Feisal that we wish him to manage the country with y[ou]r assistance & advice. If he manages it so well that in a few years we can withdraw our forces, he will become a Sovereign with plenary powers, subject only to treaty obligations with the Mandatory. But as long as we have to spend many millions a year to ensure the maintenance of order & to support his Government, we must expect him to rule in general conformity with advice tendered to him by you. The position was most clearly explained to him by Lawrence…& also by me when we talked the question over in London….

His proper course is clear. He has but to show that he is building up a good & stable Government & is capable of maintaining himself. We shall be only too pleased to transfer the burden more & more to his shoulders and reduce our expense. But while we have to pay the piper we must be effectively consulted as to the tune.

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