File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎222r] (441/450)

SECRET
APPRECIATION OF THE ATTACHED ARAB REPORT.
No. II (New Series).
ia
Indian
Moslem
opinion.
The Sherif.
Mesopo
tamia.
Press.
This week s report contains several items of interest. The interview between
Sir A. Hirtzel and Risaldar Major Gul Mawaz Khan gives the point of view of a
type of Indian Moslem which is not vocal in the press or at political meetings, but
must be representative of a considerable section of opinion. While not venturing
to suggest how much weight should be attributed to Gul Mawaz Khan’s views, ft
caii be stated confidently that his mental attitude corresponds very closely with that
of Turks, Arabs, and Kurds of the'old school who have not received a European
education and who have not consequently become members of the “intellectual”
political groups who pull Pan-Islamic strings. It is regrettable that men like
Gul Mawaz Khan are somewhat laconic and brief and do not make on paper so
gieat a show as the anonymous writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. whose letter appeared in the Appendix of
Arabian Report NXIIa.
The Sherif of Mecca’s proclamation should be read, it is a translation of a difficult
composition containing many obscure allusions and probably a sprinkling of pious
puns and insinuations that cannot be rendered into an alien tongue. However, it is
a businesslike document, and leaves the Sherif a free hand to make terms with an
alternative Turkish Government. Careful reading of the paper suggests that the
Sheiif is not wholh out of touch with the conservative Moslem clergy at Constantinople
nor with the partisans of the Liberal Union. Perusal of the manifesto should make
it clear that the drench need be under no apprehension that its context could be
used against them. The whole burden of the complaint being the bad advice given
to and the illicit control exercised over the reigning Sultan.
I he Shenf s piocedme m distributing the manifesto himself and leaving the
Intelested Entente Powers to publish as much or as little as they choose shows some
diplomacy and political firmness. Tlie enlistment by the Turks of French
Mohammedan prisoners of war, and the speech of the Turkish M.P. to the Moslem
piisoners of wai in Geimany, has one satisfactory aspect as it clears out of our way
any necessity for questioning either the propriety of our employing Arab officer
prisoners of war against the Turks or our right to propagandise such Arab prisoners
of war as have fallen into our hands.
The difficulties v Inch we encounter in dealing wffth the wild riparian tribes of
Mesopotamia are only to be expected ; these people have, since the days of the
Caliphs, been Anaiclusts and outcasts, and their hand is against every man’s; the
m ban population of Basra and the Mesopotamian cities have nothing in common with
them, nor indeed have the true nomads of the desert.
The telegram in the Appendix, which was published in the Times of Monday
the 24th, describing an Arab victory at Medina, and appearing as a Central News
S 318 30—7/1916