File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎358r] (724/834)

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leader. The Milli, of course, always named their own chief;
men of other tribes were divided. Finally, I asked Mahmud Bey
himself. He admitted he was a candidate, and said : ‘ In the
past Abd el Bizaq’s family was greater than mine, and in some
ways I should consider him a greater man than myself. On
the other hand, the recent generations of Bedr Khans have not
been very prominent; moreover, the family is not really
Kurdish.’ (This is true, it is of the Beni Abbas ; but Mahmud’s
family, too, is by no means pure Kurd ; it is largely Arab, and
he would not be welcome by a large proportion of the Kurds.)
‘ My family is second only to his, and in recent times has eclipsed
his. Anyhow, that is not a question which either Abd el Bizaq
or I are entitled to settle ; it is in the hands of the Entente, and
they ought to find out which of us the people want. I shall abide
by that.’ ”
The report includes the following character sketch of
Mahmud Bey Ibn Ibrahim Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
“ A rather slight and delicate man of about thirty, with
a fine face ; dignified, well-mannered, but with some humour,
and ready to laugh. Cannot read or write, but is intelligent
and progressive; is very religious, but not narrow; seems
peace-loving, as he professes to be ; is ambitious, but wants
to be known as a benefactor. Prefers patriarchal customs to
town innovations in private life, and he is a stickler for tribal
tradition. Bitterly anti-Turk, and pro-English as far as is
consistent with Kurdish nationalism ; is very frank in manner
and is said to be truthful.”
Arab Bureau Note.
Competition for the Kurdish throne is increasing. A third
applicant has appeared in the person of General Sherif Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
the Turkish Kurd who for many years has resided in France.
In his offer to undertake the rulership of his troubled country,
he states that if the choice of a leader were left to the tribes
of Kurdistan, confusion and disorder would inevitably result,
owing to a multiplicity of candidates, as each tribe considers
its own chief superior to all others. The only scheme likely to
promise success, says General Sherif, would be the appointment
of a civilized chief of Kurdish race with European culture. This
would give security for the impartiality of his administration
towards the other elements which will be included in the subjects
of the new State. General Sherif Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. submits that he possesses
all these desirable qualifications. It is understood, however,
that the members of the Kurdish Independence Committee
are unlikely to return for this self-sacrificing offer its due meed
of gratitude.