File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎220v] (438/450)

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I agree with you that our policy for the future should be determined now. The
present moment is our opportunity.
The Sherif should receive all possible support, for he is our “Trump Card,” and
should he be successful, the blow to 'Turkey would be incalculable. It is essential
that he should succeed, for besides the loss of prestige to Turkey, it would settlej
automatically the question of the Protectorship of the Holy Places of Islam. *
The question of actual military aid depends largely upon whether the Sherif can
be assisted without the introduction of Christians. I think we should take the utmost
care to avoid anything that might be construed into a desire to occupy Arabian
territory, or to interfere in the affairs of the Holy province.
Hence our difficult}. Christians should not be sent into the Hedjaz under any
circumstances. I do not know whether it would be feasible to send a mission
composed of Indian and Egyptian Mussulman notables.
Arabia is a cock-pit of tribal jealousies and family feuds. They are not going to
be settled in a day. If we interfere too much we may have more on our hands than
we bargained for. Over a year ago I wrote the following in anticipation of the
present crisis :—
--t-
“ Whatever the outcome of the present struggle may be, one thing is certain with
regard to Arabia ; with Egypt under permanent British protection, and our position
on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and in lower Mesopotamia assured, it will prove impossible to
leave a nest of hornets in between to endanger our interests. An independent Arabia
is thinkable, but an Arab stronghold liable to remittent agitation by Turkish counter
agitation is inconceivable. Considering the relative positions of Egypt and India,
and the latent possibilities of a great, new ‘ Egypt in Mesopotamia/ it will be seen
that Arabia will some day be called upon to play a part in the development of the
Near East, which must inevitably follow on the removal of the Ottoman blight.”
It is not unreasonable to think of the creation of an independent Arabian
Empire, governed by true Moslems, whose behaviour might be guaranteed by a
Power, such as Great Britain, who has interests on her borderlands. The Power that
holds the ports—Jeddah, Hodeida, Aden, Muscat and Koweit—would speak with
dominating accents throughout the whole peninsula . .
By obtaining control of the ports, by the establishment of a prestige which would
be unchallenged, by accumulating an intimate knowledge of the internal affairs of all
parts of the province (which would serves us when dealing with the various tribal
feuds) we might be able to use Arabia to the best advantage.
The question of the Caliphate must be approached with the utmost delicacy.
Although the Turks are (nominally^) Moslems, they are also Asiatic. To anyone who
has experienced the distinction between East and West, this is a significant point.
The Arabs, even though they were friendly towards us, would be very unwilling to
have dealings with Christians with regard to their Holy Places. It is complete
independence that they want; this has ahvays been their character. On any question
of religion, or one that touches the Holy Places we may be led into very deep water ;
Great Britain may, however, be able to deal with the situation through some of her
prominent loyal Moslem subjects.
The position of the Caliph in these days must be a very difficult one to fulfil.
How can there be any longer “a successor to Mahommed—a supreme Governor—
supreme Judge and supreme commander of all the Moslems" when Moslems no longer
form a compact unity under one leadership ?
One other point. Of the inhabitants of Arabia a very large number are nomadic
Bedawin, all of whom are fighting men. It is my experience that these tribes care
nothing for Islam, and have but one desire—namely—to be free from all restraint and
to be left alone to do as they like. It is this element that the Sherif may have
difficulty in dealing with.
y
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) Douglas Carl;others.
l\S .—I might add that all existing knowledge on Arabia is being collected and
tabulated under the direction of the Admiralty War Staff. An Arab Bureau has been
established in Cairo, and we are pushing ahead an up-to-date map, which will cover
the whole of the peninsula, and contain the latest information.