"ملخص ثورة الحجاز" [‎١‎٥] (٣٢/١٧)

I
15
The failure of the Stotzlngen Mission to Arabia in 1916 was attributed to him, and he displayed
remarkable selfishness in his refusal to assist Khalil Pasha in Mesopotamia during the British threat on
Baedad 1916/17. Jemal's hostility and failure to co-operate with Falkenhayn, whom he held morally and
materially responsible for the loss of Jerusalem, resulted in his recall to Constantinople, whence he
visited Berlin about August, 1917. In September, he returned to byria with the title of General Oflicer
Commanding, Syria and Western Arabia. In November, before his final recall from Palestine, he was
^v-eaponsible for a somewhat striking speech in Beirut, in which he explained his Syrian policy and emphasized
□ the necessity for Turkey keeping a watchful eye on her hereditary enemy Bulgaria He also went into
some detail regarding his attempts to recall the Sherif to his Turkish allegiance. He had written to born
Sherif Feisal and Gaafar Pasha* (commanding the Sherif's regulaf- troops) inviting them to a conference.
To Feisal he pointed out the result to Islam of the ultimate fate of the Arab countries, Palestine and byna.
as disclosed by the revelations in the Russian Press; to Gaafar he reminded him of his heroic past when ie
was aiding Islam to conquer Egypt. . . ,
Jemal's position on his recall to Turkey in November was a curious illustration of how greatly a man
may fail without suffering the common lot of failures. He had displayed no military capacity an n- 4
Ec-yptian scheme had led to a whole series of disasters. He provoked and had been powerless to dhec^ the
Arab revolt and made no practical response to the appeals of Fakhri cut off by his agency at Medina; ie
had embittered Syria agains tthe Lurks; he had embittered the Turks against their all-powerinl Allies.
Yet he was still Minister of Marine, and the most conspicuous Turk in Syria. He had quarrelled wit h
the moat powerful ministers and generals and had again been summoned from ids Syrian stronghold to gue
account at Constantinoole, where, not so long ago, the bowstring or the Bosphorous would infallibly have
awaited him. He obeyed, even went to Berlin, and had been everywhere more courted than castigated.
and had returned in power to Syria. , ^ j r
On the other hand, his achievements consisted of compelling us to spend millions on the detenc*
of Egypt, and to divert our armies sorely needed elsewhere, lie had combed out Syria until it had not tea
and hardly a hand to make rebellion. His strength lay in hie championship of Islam, sincere enough
as he made this his line in public life, and he was false to everything else but his own interest. Among
prominent Turkish ministers he was the only one who stood for that, and greatly as the luiamans won
have liked to have had him and all other pro-Islamic Turks out of the way, thry dared not put him out.
Therefore Jemal I. remained in power in spite of German opposition and Enver 1 ashas scheming.
On his return to Constantinople in December. 1917, he took up his old post of Mimstei ot Marine. >ai« r
he was reported at Batum on the Black Sea. and in August, 1918, at \ ienna.
In 1917. Kuchuk Jemal II. commanded the VHIth Army Corps. On the 11th November, 191/, he was
travelling in a train which was mined by the Arabs near Khirbet -es-Sumra north of Amman and naircu i\
escaped bei»g killed. His aide-de-camp and some 20 others lost their lives. About the beginning of l .'KS
he was given command of the IVth Army, and on the 25th January, 1918, was appointed Governor-General
JI ^dn the formation of the Composite Force at Tebuk at the beginning of 1917, Jemal III. was given
command. On reorganization of areas he took over command at Maan in September, 191 until lie went sick
in Decemoer, liH7, acd returned to Damascus, thence to Constantinople.
APPENDIX E.
MAURICE'S REPORT.
\bout the beginning of January, 1918, Maurice, who was at one time employed as a British Agent in
E ffV pt and Switzerland, arrived at Akaba and was sent to Cairo where he was interrogated. He left
Switzerland on the 22nd September, 1917, arrived Berlin the 23rd and travelled via Soha to Constantinople,
where he arrived on the 5th October. In Berlin be was questioned closely at the \\ ar Otlice as to what he
knew of British intentions in Syria and Mesopotamia, and asked if he considered it possible io buy over
Ibn Saud, as well as various other questions concerning the Arab revolt. Maurice stated that the Germans
had expressed to him their disappointment at the failure of the iurkish alliance to bring the whole Moslem
world on to the side of the Central Powers. He was also interviewed by Von Kuhlmann in the presence ot
Hakki Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador, and claimed to have impressed the former with his reasons lor the
dislike to Turkish rule of the Arab Ottoman subjects ; his reasons chiefly being the atrocities committed by
Jemal Pasha I. and Khalil Pasha in Syria and Mesoootamia respectively. , , m , „ ,
On his arrival at Constantinople, Maurice stated he was at once interviewed by 1 alaat I asha regarding the
Arab question. Talaat stated that both th« Sultan himself and Said Halim, the Grand \ izier, had written to trie
Sharif proposing peace, but the replies they had had were very vague regarding conditions. He stated he
was also taken to *ee Enver, with whom the Sherifs revolt was discussed. Maurice stated he was mlormed
that £T200,000 iu gold had already been despatched to Damascus for propaganda purposes among the Arabs.
Later Talaat told him that there had been an offer of peace from the Sherif in the spring of 191 /. but
it had not been entertained, aa one of the conditions was for the Sherif to become Khalif. ialaai, according
to Maurice, threw all the blame for the continuance of the Arab revolt on Sherif Abdullah, and said that
Turkey might consent to the independence of the Sherif, and might possibly arrange matters m byria for him,
but would never permit him to become Khalif. Before leaving Constantinople .Maurice stated he had nail a
further interview with Enver, who asked Maurice to explain to the great Bedouin tamilies and the Ionises,
when he arrived in Damascus, Enver's attachment to them and consideration of their interests.
Enver stated that Tahsin Bey, formerly Vali of Erzerum, had been entrusted with the handling of the
Arab propaganda at Damascus. . . rk i. t u t.
About the l)eginning of 1917, Maurice reached Damascus and again saw Jemal Pasha 1., who showed
him two large envelopes which were to be sent to the Sherif via Kerak, and stated he had repeatedly written
* A Baghdad! Arab, with a considerable European experience of modern warfare. Commanded the
Turkish forces operating with the Senussi in Tripoli, 1915-11116. He was captured in 1U16 and interned m
the Ciiadel, Cairo. After an abortive attempt to escape, in the course of which he broke a leg, volunteered
to fight for the Sherif and was appointed to his preseut post in May, 1917.