File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎147v] (292/450)

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In a despatch dated the 29th August [F.O. 177828], Mr. White, agent at Tangier,
said that he had been informed by his French colleague that the Algerian and Tunisian
delegation would be headed by Sid ben Ghabrit, an Algerian employed at the residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. ,
who before the establishment of the protectorate was interpreter at the French Legation.
Mr. White also said that at first there was some question of sending Moors with tire
deputation, but that General Lyautey disapproved, on the ground that it would e
likely to give rise to dissatisfaction in Morocco, as the Moors had never recognised one
caliphate of the Sultan of Turkey, and regarded their own Sultan as the “ Emir el
Mumenin ” or Prince of the True Believers.
French Help for the Sherif.
The Army Council has informed the Foreign Office that it has learnt from the
French military attache that his Government is prepared to furnish substantial military
assistance for the Sherif of Mecca on hearing from him that their offer meets with the
approval of the British military authorities.
The proposed assistance comprises the personnel, equipment, and ammunition for a
field battery, a mountain battery, and eight machine gun sections. It also includes a
company of engineers, the personnel of a railway and telegraph section, and sufficient
officers to enable the Sherif to organise locally two infantry battalions and four
squadrons of cavalry The personnel is in all cases to the Mussulman.
In view of the importance of rendering early assistance to the Sherif in the matter
of guns, machine guns, and technical personnel, the Council recommend that the French
Government be invited to proceed at once with the training and despatch of the units
specified above, provided that Viscount Grey of Fallodon considers that no political
difficulties would result therefrom.
Opinion in Somaliland.
The following is taken from a letter [C.O. 172,763] on the political situation in
the western area of the Somaliland Protectorate sent to the Colonial Office by the
Commissioner, Mr. G. F. Archer, C.M.G. : “ The news of events at Mecca has met with
a most favourable reception here, and I am confident that a profound impression will be
made upon the Somali mind on the publication, in due course, of the Grand Sherifs
proclamation which, as you informed me .... is being forwarded direct to me from
Khartoum.”
IBN SAUD.
In a telegram, dated the 5th September, from the Arab Bureau, Basra, to D.M.I.,
it was stated that the C.P.O. had received a long letter from I bn Saud, dated the
25th July. In regard to his not having moved againsr, Ibn Bashid, he explained that
his expedition against the Almurrah was necessary in our joint interests, as otherwise
they would have joined Ibn Bashid. He w~as glad to hear of the Sherif’s action, as in
any case it meant a severe blow to the Turks and, it might be, their expulsion from
Arabia. He went on, however, to remark that the wording of the official communique
caused him some uneasiness, as there had been a feud between him and the Sherif for
years. He and his tribesmen had always opposed the Sherif s interference and would
never tolerate any control on his part or interference with their well recognised and
defined boundaries. Fie expressed the belief that the Sherif s original intention was to
play off the British against the Turks, and so to get the Turks to grant him inde
pendence guaranteed by Germany. He advised us to give the Sherif just enough
assistance to ensure the protraction of the struggle between him and the Turks, so as to
keep them employed and unable to detach troops to Mesopotamia.
On the 8th September the Arab Bureau, Basra, telegraphed [No. 4523] to Cairo
that another letter had been received from Ibn Saud stating that he had received a
letter from the Sherif asking for alliance and assistance ; to this he had replied that in
regard to assistance he would do his best, but as to alliance he had reminded the
Sherif of the latter’s habitual endeavour to interfere with his tribes and territory. If
the Sherif was now sincere in his request for an alliance, he should solemnly undertake
to refrain from such interference.
In regard to this letter Ibn Saud informed the C.P.O. that he had no personal
wish for an alliance with the Sherif, and had entertained the proposal because we
desired it and because he hoped for the expulsion of the Turks. Should the reply