'Correspondence with the Grand Sherif of Mecca' [‎2r] (3/16)

().--Shorthand Note taken by Messenger ol ;i discourse by the Sherif of
Mecca, which took place in privacy at night on the roof of his
palace.
Ali Hey, please impart my best salaams, faithfulness and friendship to
Mr. Storrs, and ray acceptance of what his great Empire has on another
occasion proposed. Ali, do your best to make Mr. Storrs understand that
he should not consider my answer as a breaking up of relations.
It simply came late, and if she had granted our demand when we made
it, things would have been better. The day will come when we Avill
demand more of her than she is now preparing for us, and perhaps soon.
Ali, inform Mr. Storrs that 1 am using all my political and material
influence in spreading the British policy (influence) in my country as well
in that of A1 Imam Yehia, as he is ray friend and never acts against ray
advice.
Ali, Turkey is weighing down heavily upon us, beyond the power of our
endurance. We therefore oppose the execution of its commands and plans.
Yesterday they were planning to send printed circulars or posters to the
chiefs of the tribes for distribution among the pilgrims. \Ve oppose the
project with all our might and diplomacy; we have opposed it almost to
the point ol" breaking up our relation with them) ; and if the Vali had not
returned upon his decision, relations woidd have been definitely broken up.
And perhaps causes might spring up which would break these relations
even before you arrive at your country ; and it might come to pass that the
thing would be delayed some three or four or six months.
Through ray political influence, rebellion and disobedience had well
nigh broken out among the Syrian corps. England will hear about 1113*
action, if not now, in the future.
Our relations with the Empire are waning, dying, even as a flickering
lamp whose oil had run out.
Ali, the only thing that prevents ine from rising against the Turkish
Empire is the Moslem world, which now looks upon me and feels annoyed
with me, especially under the present circumstances. Another reason is
this, I cannot forget the favours the reigning house bestowed upon me.
But the reins of power have passed from the hands of this family.
Among the reasons which strengthen the hands of the Turkish statesmen
and give weight to their influence and power is the interception of food
materials from our land. This thing has caused great want there. More,
they (Turks) have informed the people and the Bedouins that it was
Britain which intercepted the alms and thus reduced them to their pitiable
state.
Ali Bey, we wrestle valiantly, spend much of our substance, and use all
our influence to calm down the country. (Ireat Britain will learn of our
efforts later on. Now we cannot make demands; we simply pray her to
facilitate the question of grains (the coining in of grains). Be it as it may
we shall not turn against her or aid her enemies. She shall see.
f am bound by three ties; the Caliphate, and, as 1 have already
intimated, the favours which the reigning house bestowed upon me.
As to the religious tie, you see them now declare openly that the cause
of the degeneration of the Moslem nations is religion, and they set themselves
to efface it. Yea, some have come to us to pay a visit to the Holy Places
(on pilgrimage); and these have mocked and scoffed at the thing, and have
not performed their religious duties as it behoves thein to do. From this
you w r ill perceive that religious matters have become lax. Therefoie we are
no longer bound to obey them.
The second tie concerns our obedience to the Caliphate, but there no
longer exists a Caliphate, and that for v;irious reasons, among others that
their rule projects plans and deeds that are all contrary to religion. The
Caliphate- means this, that the rules of the book of God should be enforced,
and this they do not do.
As to the third, I have already intimated that the Turkish Government
has come to be nothing more than Enver and his clique. We therefore are
no longer bound to them by any tie.