File 705/1916 Pt 1 'Arab revolt: reports' [‎230r] (7/494)

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for ^125,000 per month. On Cairo’s recommendation His Majesty’s
Government have authorised the advance of this sum for four months.
| The reasons given by Cairo were as follows :—
First. To ensure success or even the prospect of success the Sherif
must largely increase his army. His own suggestion to raise it to 40,000
has already been mentioned.
Secondly. He was definitely encouraged to revolt by Great Britain.
Thirdly. At present, owing to the disorganisation of Hejaz, he cannot
institute proper taxation and derive a normal income.
Fourthly. For the last two years events have precluded the Arabs in
Hejaz from storing adequate reserves of food, and there is now practically
none left for them to fall back upon in case of emergency.
Fifthly. It will be advisable, apart from military consideration, to
make up to the Sherif at least as much as he received in regular subsidies
from the Turks.
, Sixthly. The failure of the rising at such a juncture would have a very
serious effect upon British prestige in India, for Great Britain’s hand in the
revolt would become public knowledge.
Lastly, and perhaps most important of all, there is the question of the
Pilgrimage, which involves two expensive items. First, if the Sherif has
not enough money to carry on he will inevitably make extortions from the
pilgrims. Secondly, Great Britain has announced that all facilities for the
Haj are now restored, and to put British reputation above reproach it will
be necessary to reorganise J eddah completely: the sanitary conditions there
are at present very bad, and everything is in confusion and chaos ; unless
this be remedied it will be very hard to provide the pilgrims with proper
food and accommodation. This will need a large sum. Incidentally, Cairo
is of the opinion that expenses in connection with the Hejaz should be
paid from a separate fund, coming nominally from Moslem sources; and
the British Government have endorsed this view by directing that in giving
subsidies to the Sherif no public reference shall be made to the fact that
any of the money is intended for the upkeep of the H oly Places.
* The problem of Jeddah is a difficult one in the circumstances. The
townspeople are divided in their feelings. The majority are strongly
anti-Sherif and have refused the rebels entrance into the city; they profess
to desire English occupation, but any Englishman in an “ official ” capacity
would be suspected and resented by the Arabs.
At the same time it is essential for the pilgrimage that Jeddah should
be properly administered and kept in a sanitary condition, and that tele
phonic and other communications with Mecca should be maintained.
Zeid, the Sherifs son, is too young and has proved useless. Sheikh
Mohsin is a good man but ignorant of administration, and there is no other
Arab available. Outside control must therefore be brought in.
It is suggested by Cairo that some English officer with the necessary
qualifications should be given some innocuous title such as “ pilgrim ”
officer, and should be supported by Egyptian Moslem subordinates. The
Arabs appear to dislike the Egyptian artillerymen intensely; but Cairo is