741.90G 11/31: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Iraq (Knabenshue) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:15 a.m.]
113. I have just received the Department’s telegram 56, December 3, and will carry out the instructions at the earliest moment. In the meantime, I may report that it was generally reported throughout the city last night the Cabinet had, after consulting political and army leaders and tribal chiefs, definitely determined to defy the British by refusing to resign. If the British were to retaliate by economic pressure or more forceful means, public opinion might be whipped up and inflamed to a dangerous fanatical pitch and lead to serious consequences.
However, I am hopeful of local regency intervention and will report immediately.