This paper gives an account of the civil administration of Mesopotamia during the British military occupation, that is to say, down to the summer of the present year (1920), when, a Mandate for Mesopotamia having being accepted by Great Britain, steps were being taken for the early establishment of an Arab Government. His Majesty's Government called for a report on this diificult period from the Acting Civil Commissioner, who entrusted the preparation of it to Miss Gertrude L. Bell C.B.E. (India Office, 3rd December 1920)