File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎218v] (434/450)

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20th May, 20 English prisoners were marched through the streets and, as they
passed, were cheered in English and Erench with cries of “ Vive I’Angleterre.”
In connection with this reported change of feeling, it is interesting to note that
the Spectator [Sth July) sees signs of a “ reaction in the attitude of the British people
towards Turkey,” and strongly disapproves, for “ the gentlemanly behaviour oh
“ Turkish officers at Kut and Gallipoli cannot make us forget the horrors of thi
“ Armenian massacres or condone the action of Turkish Government in selling
“ themselves to Germany.”
Treatment of General Townshend.
This is still made use of for purposes of propaganda. In the Nieuice Roiter-
damsche Courant of 24th June, there was an article by its Balkan correspondent
making much of the favourable treatment of General Townshend, and a summary of
this has found its way into the English press.
The Arab Bureau in Cairo.
It has been arranged that the Arab Bureau shall be responsible for propaganda
in connection with the Arab movement, the Bureau keeping in close touch with the
Foreign and India Offices, the W ar Office and the Admiralty, as well as with the
Government of India, which is especially concerned with such propaganda anywhere
east of the Suez Canal. As regards propaganda initiated in London, articles should
be submitted to M.I. 7, and by them transmitted to the Bureau, who should either
deal with them or telegraph approval, disapproval, or amendments to D.M.I., when it
is desirable to publish from London.
Italian Inquiry an to Ottoman Territory.
On 16th July Lord Bertie telegraphed from Paris saying that the Italian
Ambassador had raised the question of spheres in Asia Minor and especially in Syria.
The President of the Council informed him that there had been conversations in
London and Petrograd, but that those conversations could not be considered definite
agreements. The Italian Ambassador insisted that Syria was large enough for both
France and Italy to be able to satisfy their ambitions and interests, whereupon the
President of the Council reminded him that Italy’s position in regard to Asia Minor
had been defined by the London Agreement of April 1915, and that the region to
which Italy’s aims were directed had, although in general terms, been defined and
accepted by the other Powers. The Ambassador replied that he had in view the
region of Adalia and Adana, and the President observed that Adalia was in the zone
ear-marked by Italy, but that Adana was of special interest to France. The President,
in conclusion, expressed his conviction that when peace came all these questions
would be settled by the Powers in full agreement with one another.