File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎187r] (371/450)

SECRET.
O' -J
1
APPRECIATION OF ATTACHED ARAB REPORT No. V. (New Series.)
unofficial means.
There are various indications that the Turkish Government will presently begin a i
new reign of terror in Syria in the form of massacre, execution, and violence. The
extract from Sir George Roos-Keppel’s letter to the Viceroy deserves careful attention,
as giving in non-telegraphic form his precise views of the situation in the North-West
Frontier province.
As regards the co-ordination of work between Mesopotamia and Cairo, there still
seems to be some vagueness as to the functions and status of the personnel of the Arab
Bureau. From the printed form forwarded by Sir P. Z. Cox, it would appear that he
is under the impression that the Bureau’s headquarters are in London and not in Cairo.
There is still no information from any of the Arab ports in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. which, J
after a lapse of two months, is somewhat singular; especially when it is remembered f
that G.O.C. Singapore, found time and opportunity to report not only on the reception
of the news in Singapore itself, but also in the Dutch territories of Java and the
Federated Malay States.
Special attention is drawn to the Appendix, and if time will allow the reprinted
newspaper articles should be read.
The contrast between the newspaper propaganda of the French controlled press
and the leading article of the independent Indian newspaper is more than instructive.
The Arab article is admirably designed in every way, and shows policy, learning, and
purpose; the Indian article is windy, confused, forensic, and ignorant to a degree.
The negotiations between the Sherif' and Idrissi have not reached a dangerous
stage, and there appears to be ground for hope that the matter will be settled.
Attention is drawn to the difficulty of carrying on negotiations between two fractious
notables by officers who receive instructions which have to be considered by or emanate
from two offices in London, the High Commissioner (Egypt), the Indian Government
(Simla), and the General Officer Commanding at Aden.
THEBE is no material change in the situation since last week, but this report
contains a number of items which will repay study.
The general tone of the information from Hejaz is more hopeful in regard to the
Sherif’s operations, but the future depends on the effectiveness of our action against
the Turks in the Sinai peninsula, such success as we have obtained is probably
responsible for the increased activity of the Arabs.
With regard to the French mission to the Sherif, it is suggested that this would
best serve the ends of the Entente if it were confined strictly to business in regard to the
pilgrimage and to financial assistance therefor.
As regards the Sherif’s proclamation, as the French Government have now no
objection, it would appear advisable that its publication in Egypt should be proceeded
with, and that it be spread about the Arabian littoral and in Lower Mesopotamia by
[898—3]