File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎218r] (433/450)

I
and were unable to register a decisive success against tlie Turks. In these circumstances there can be
no question of the Mesopotamian campaign being an unimportant appendage of the European war. It-
can only be regarded as a separate war, albeit a small one, and it requires to be treated as such. In
other words, thanks to the way in which the campaign has been handled, or mishandled, Great Britain
cannot afford to rely upon the Allies’ ultimate success in Europe covering up failure in Mesopotamia,
^ait must see the expedition through to a victorious finish, if there is to be lasting peace in the East as
;ell as on the Continent. We are not concerned now with the antecedents of the campaign, or with the
question whether it was necessary or advisable to advance beyond Kurnah in the first instance. The
salient points are that a British force has matched itself against the Turks and their Arab levies in this
region, and that it has been so far unsuccessful. Before the campaign can be allowed to come to an end
failure must be wiped out, and this can only be done by the entry of British troops into Baghdad.”
^ 'k ,# #
“In the face of all that has happened in Mesopotamia, including the despatch of an expedition
ill-equipped and the absence of satisfactory measures for its reinforcement, there is a natural anxiety lest
ignorance in high quarters should make the supreme blunder of all, and lay np a serious heritage of
trouble for a time when the world is looking forward to an era of peace. No one asks that military
secrets should be revealed, but it should be possible to allay the public anxiety lest Mesopotamia and the
importance of its campaign should continue to be ignored. In many quarters the feeling is entertained
that, if the steps that ought to have been taken to retrieve the mishaps of this expedition had been taken
in time, General Lake’s force would have been in a position to render timely aid to our Allies, now beinu
pressed back in Persia.”
(2) Aden.
General Stewart took over the cominand on lltli July.
On 14ili July telegraph line between Lahej and Maargh was reported to have been
cut, but this was not considered significant of any general Arab hostility.
(3) Red Sea.
Senior Naval Officer reports under date 24th June in regard to a protest from the
Government of India against naval activity at Jidda!] that the Senior Naval Officer of
the Red* Sea Patrol had stated that naval action was entirely confined to Turkish
military positions, and that nothing was done except at the request, in writing, of the
Arab authorities. The attitude of the population of Jiddah was most friendly.
(4) The Caucasus.
On 11th July Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh telegraphed to D.MJ. a message sent by
the Grand Duke to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff on that date. The Grand
Duke said that the situation was complicated by the hostility of numerous bands of
Kurds and other hillmen, who were actively assisting the Turks; this had been
brought to the notice of the Persian Government, who had been asked to co-operate to
the effect that the Kurds, even if they would not assist the Russian Army, should at
least remain quiet. The Grand Duke attached the greatest importance to this, and
expressed the opinion that if the Kurds would be induced to appear on the Russian
side, the Turks would not be able to maintain their position against General Baratoff.
On 17th July, C.T.G.S. telegraphed to Colonel Marsh that the Foreign Office had
asked our Minister at Tehran to co-operate with his Russian colleague in bringing-
pressure to bear in the direction desired by the Grand Duke.
PART III.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Turkey and Germany.
An agent who has travelled through Europe, Turkey, Asia Minor, and Syria,
reports that in Constantinople, German shops are quietly boycotted by the Turks;
that sentiment against the Germans is very strong ; and that the war is greatly
regretted, especially in view of the Russian advances. The Sheikh-ul-Islam resigned
because he would not agree to a proclamation proposed by the Germans to retaliate
for all future enemy occupation of Turkish territory by a massacre of Christian
subjects of Turkey. Public opinion has changed greatly since December last—there
is now no bitterness in Constantinople against England or France. In Beirut, on
D.M.I.
(4094).