File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎117r] (231/450)

the Emir of Mecca’s example, had not the whole of Syria been occupied by the fourth
army, preparing for the Egypt expedition.
Such is in brief the situation in Arabia and Syria. It pre-occupies Turkey and
Germany extremely. An Arabian question is created; and if the Hejaz movement is
^ot promptly stopped, it will surely extend to Mesopotamia, which will render the
position of Turkey still more critical.
Plot against Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. .
The following confidential report was communicated by Mr. Bourchier to Sir George
Barclay, British Minister at Bucharest:—
Among those who are secretly working for the overthrow of Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. may be
reckoned almost all the members of the Imperial Family, including Prince Vahid-ed-
Din, the Heir-Apparent. The list:also includes the Grand Vizier (Prince Halim Said)
Djemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , commanding the army in Syria; Hadji Add Bey, Governor of
Adrianople ; Djavid Bey, former Minister of Finance ; the greater portion of the
Moslem deputies, and a number of notables and functionaries. Even Talaat Bey, the
Minister of the Interior, who is personally jealous of Enver, is now said to be associated
with this group, which is in common with the Ittilet, or Old Turk party, sympathisers
with the cause of the Entente. The Old Turk leaders had recently come to the decision
to attempt a coup d’Etat; but in view of the small chances of success against the
German troops, they have abandoned this plan for the present. Some of them are now
endeavouring to cajole Enver, and to persuade him to dismiss his alter ego, Ismail
Hakki, chef des expeditions (Sevkiat reissi oumoumisi), accusing him of malversation
and negligence, which, they allege, have been the cause of the recent reverse in the
Caucasus. After getting rid of Hakki, the Ententists hope to instal Djemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in
the place of Enver as Minister of War, and then to initiate negotiations for peace.
The Ulema, who are extremely hostile to Enver, are said to meditate a coup in favour
of the Grand Sherif of Mecca. The Shaykh-ul-Islam is also said to favour him. A
renewal of British activity in the Mesopotamia region would, if possible, be desirable in
order to encourage the tendency of the neighbouring Arab chiefs to support the Sherif;
the Shaykh of Koweit is especially his friend.
It is difficult to see how the present order of things at Constantinople can be
changed except by a military revolt. Till recently the city has been almost completely
denuded of Turkish troops, but latterly two regiments have arrived from Tchorlou.