File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎224r] (445/450)

gratification of all true Moslems in his dominions at the news that the Sherif
talong active measures to free the Holy Places aud Arabia L^TurS
Opinion m Egypt.
f ™ r sa'r,?,.r r.‘“i" s&sffz
split it into several discordant groups. Azhar has been to
Opinion in Syria.
Shit tmly B o l fr s -r rtS [N °- 9] that in SyHa the ^ fO per cent, of
An agent repoited on 18th July that the revolt of Arabs 'leuincU. iIia Tm-l-a 1
aegun m Damascus, and that it was expected to be general in a few days. ^ ^
Mesopotamia and the Slier if.
The Secretary of State telegraphed to the Viceroy on 19th July [P. 2784] nointino-
out that the special Indian difficulties do not apply to MesonolamP 'f
that everything would be done by the political and military officers to encourage
Arabs to join die movement against the Turks which the Sherif is leading He
alVthe^Sherif B /h 0 T aSe f eU h 0 i fneadshi P s T y d co-operation between Ibn Sand
Ibn Snmffi PA Fff f \ U . <lttenipt to ^111 over Ibn Pashid and to reconcile him with
] b V Efforts to^impress the intelligent class with the idea of the friendship
and goodwiL ot His Majesty s Government towards the Arab race, and its genuine
wish to promote Arab union and Arab future; (T) That the daily acts and general
spirit of our administration m dealing with Arabs and the Arab question should
Arabic ' T ‘ th thl8 : (o) Th ? consideration of the possibility of subsidising a good
Hnt tVT f aper b r -°f Cl T ed 1 d f‘y* 3 ai ? d tlle littoral - He added that he realised
that the Indian officials should (a) avoid pledges which might hamper the future
administration of Mesopotamia; and (5) not identify themselves with the purely
domestic affairs of Islam regarding the Holy Places. . 1 ^
Germans for Mecca:
The same agent reports that 2,000 or 3,000 Germans left Constantinople three
tlflslanf 0 t0 aUaC i 1,16 ; i0nl ' 1116 Arabs have been informed that they are converts
On better authority it is stated that the Turks are raising a division composed of
k reach Mohammedan prisoners of war handed over to the Turks by the German
Government.
Sherif s Uireat of Retaliation.
Arab Bureau reports [No. 9] that the Sherif has telegraphed to the President of
VfBcd ^tes begging him to inform Enver, Talaat, and Jemal that if his brother
bnerit Nasir in Constantinople, or any one of his relations in Turkish hands, should
be ill-treated he will retaliate on the civil and military prisoners be holds.
The Sherif and the Allies.
The Arab Bureau [ibid] also reports that the Sherif has - 'asked for recognition by
the Allied Governments. * J
Proclamation as Caliph.
A reliable agent reported on 22nd July that the Sherif will he proclaimed Caliph
at Barram. 1
English Adviser for the Sherif.
Sir H. McMahon telegraphed on 23rd July [No. 610] that 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. had asked
that Colonel Wilson should wear British uniform at Jidda and have the rank of