File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎85r] (167/450)

the She ^ s su ? cess - ^ spite of privileges and offers from the Govern-
’X " 7 s T ” k “‘- " d t ”“
^^-TSST* ’** to “* 0 ”“*. * ”■ —
Agent states that he frequently saw a band of 50 to 100 mounted Druses come to
" f P ace w er ® ^ ie w Peat that had been requisitioned by the Government from the
The offl t been St0red ’ a ? d , theu eacl > filled a sack, mounted, and rod“ off
them ' erS a " men m cllarge of Ifi® wheat were afraid to make any effort to prevent
Chri^iM^amf Mohammedans':—-°^ rUm ° Ur8 g ° S8ip CUrrent “ BeirUt both am0I1 g st
fhe Allied army at Salonica is marching on Constantinople, the Bulgars have
declared peace, the Russians have severely defeated the Austrians, the Serbians have
regained their own country, the Cossack cavalry has cut off a large Turkish force in the
.Biths and Mush region, revolution has broken out at Constantinople, the Sultan and
princes at Constantinople have met the leaders of the Government to discuss whether
they snail escape to Berlin or Damascus m case of necessity.
Germans.
Many German officers have arrived at Beirut from Bir Saba and El Arish, and
among them two senior officers who have been wounded.
The German officer who commanded the last attack on the Canal is at Hotel
Gassmann, in Beirut.
Reported Turkish Opinion on Last Attack on Canal.
A captain, Christian Doctor, on leave at Beirut from Sinai, told Agent that he
estimated the Turkish losses at 30,000 dead, wounded, and prisoners. The soldiers
expected the British to follow them even as far as Domascus.
The troops were most depressed at their failure, and it was expected that they would
leave El Arish. Guns and troops have already been withdrawn in order to send them
to Arabia.
Those troops who were not sent to Arabia were expected to go to Constantinople,
as much anxiety was felt for the safety of the city. After the withdrawal of their
troops, many of whom had already left for Arabia, only two Christian Labour Battaiions
would be left at El Arish.
Recruits.
“ Five days ago '’ (? 16th September) orders were received from Constantinople
that persons between the ages of 18 and 40 years who had paid their “bedel” would
not be permitted to do so again, but would be compulsorily enrolled for service.
Miscellaneous.
Two motors have been mounted in two boats, which will be sent to the Dead Sea
to act as tugs.
The Germa?i Society Islam Kultur.
There was a notice in the last Arabian Report [p. 8 ] of a meeting of this society
in Berlin at which it was resolved to murder Mohammedan rulers and notables on the
side of the Allies. An agent has furnished further information on this subject. He
says:—
“ The promulgation - of the ‘ Fetva ’ decided upon at the above meeting in
Berlin is to be expected as soon as may be. The scope of the same is to excite
armed revolt against enemy Powers, and to confirm the mandate given in words to
the agents (Eidai) by the Pan-Tslam propagandists. The ‘ Eetva ’ will be drawn up
by the Sheik U1 Islam with the help of the several Ulema representing the various
religious Mohammedan communities who are attached to the caliphate. These will
assemble at the next anniversary of the ‘ Pavlud ’ in the royal palace of Top Capu,
where the bones (relics) of the Prophet are preserved, with a view to an under
standing in this respect.
[898—15]
C