File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎201r] (399/450)

informed him that he no longer needed the Maxim battery which was to return to Fort
Sudan.
Hussein Effendi Ruhi handed to me on my arrival a report from Sherif Effendi
Faroki for General Clayton (see Appendix II), three letters from the Sherif to the High
Commissioner (see Appendix III), and a copy of a proclamation from the Sherif to the
Mohammedan world (see Appendix IY). I understand that the gist of Appendices II
and III had already been telegraphed to you. _
The proclamation was sent by the Sherif in consequence of a request by the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division.
that he should write to the Abyssinian Kadis with a view to counteracting the pro-
Turkish propaganda in that country. I understand that it has not yet been published,
and will probably be altered in certain particulars.
On the 29th June Colonel Wilson, Captain Warren, R.N., of R.I.M.S. “ Dufferin,’’
Major Pearson, Said Bey Ali, and myself, with the interpreter, Hussein Effendi Ruhi,
went on shore to interview Sherif Zeid, the youngest son of the Sherif. After a hot
and dusty walk of fifteen minutes we arrived at his house, which is near the north gate
of the town, and were shown into the presence of Sherif Zeid, Sherif Naser Ibn Shukr,
a relation of the Sherif. who has been many years one of his special messengers.
Sherif Abdulla, a large and unattractive looking man of about 60, who maintained
complete silence throughout the proceedings, and Jamil Effendi Rafei.
I briefly introduced myself as the High Commissioner’s representative, and after
giving a few polite messages said that I would defer the presentation of my letters
until Colonel Wilson and Captain Warren had settled the question of the batteries.
Sherif Zeid informed us that Sherif Faroki had just arrived from Mecca, and that he
would send for him. Sherif Faroki arrived in a few minutes, and the matter was
explained. The Sherif must have been informed that Colonel Wilson was in the house,
as presently a message came up that he would like to speak to him on the^ telephone.
Colonel Wilson and Said Bey accordingly went downstairs, and after some discussion it
was decided that Said Bey should go to Mecca with two mountain guns and an escort
of twenty men, and that the other four guns, the remainder of the escort and the
Maxim battery, which the Sherif now said he wanted, should be sent to Rabigh under
the command of the two Yusbashis. After arranging this, Colonel Wilson and
Captain Warren went back to the shi,p, and Major Pearson, whom Colonel Wilson had
presented on arrival as the representative of the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. , and myself were left with
Sherif Zeid, Sherif Faroki, and Jamil Effendi Rafei. I presented my letter of
introduction to Sherif Zeid, and he at once went downstairs and informed his father,
coming back with the message that I was very welcome, that Sherif Faroki was going
to Cairo at once with ali his commands, but that he hoped I would stay as long as I
liked. _
Sherif Faroki took up the line that he had his orders from the Sherif to discuss
certain matters with the High Commissioner, that he had^a full list of all ^ his
requirements and that therefore there was nothing which I could usefully do in Jeddah.
I pointed out that I could perdaps expedite matters by telegraphing the gist of his
requirements to Cairo, but his attitude continued to be so uncompromising that I was
finally compelled to request Sherif Zeid to telephone to his father and ask him whether
I was likely to be of any assistance as I had only come for that purpose, and if my
services were not required I proposed to inform the High Commissioner of the fact and
return to Cairo at once. On this, Sherif Faroki consented to accept my help. During
this conversation Jamil Rafei and Zaid Bey had played the part of silent spectators, n
Zaid Bey was throughout perfectly polite and cordial, but he did not once assert
himself. He is obviously a nonentity and dislikes having any responsibility thrust upon
him. During the course of conversation, as directed by his Excellency the High
Commissioner, I had spoken of the pilgrimage and the importance of its being a success
this year, and was assured that the point had not been lost sight of. shortly afterwards
we, took our leave, after saying goodbye to Zaid Bey who was to return to Mecca that
afternoon, and arranging that Sherif Faroki should come aboard the Dufferin about
sunset. Both Major Pearson and myself went away with a strong impression that our
presence in Jeddah was unwelcome, at all events to the two Syrians. In che afternoon
I went ashore to bring Sherif Faroki off and was introduced to certain local notables,
such as Sheikh Suleiman Qubil, the chief of the municipality, Sheikh Abdel Latif El
Muzeini, the harbour-master, and Sheikh Rashid, Gallatly and Hankey s ^g ei R-
Sherif Nazir Ibn Shukr, who was accompanying the batteries to Rabegh, and should
have been on board H.M.S. “ Anne ’’ several hours before. He said that he had been
saying goodbye to Sherif Zeid. I took him off with me but we were too late to overtake
the “ Anne.” His absence was destined to have serious consequences, as the burada,