File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎195v] (387/481)

IT
from tbe Higti Commissi :-c.«r. Egypt, dated the 3rd November 1915,
(wrtixxrt eticIo«wre; .
TdegxaB frtm His Majesty * Secretary of State for India, dated the IHh N member
1915 . 5 ‘ ,
Telesram to trie General OiScer Commaading, Force *' D, ” Xo. 6S-D. S, dated the 29th
Norember 191h.
Teterim {torn Hi* SetnUrj of State foe Mia, iited tte l»th XoTembet
I.
itow HU Ma-estVs .Secmarr of State for India, dated the 19th NoTember
1915. . , ,
Telegram to the General Officer Commanding, Foree '' D f ' Xo. • i-D. S., dated the 21st
Telegram* from the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. at Aden,
* Onattotii* Pefitthai Res-iieaz, iien. v m:.\ P. dated the 20th >'ot ember 1915.
1915
A* vrf ta prinu «cpxt»
i »n i». na *ad a T a
B&r racer, dec ««t. i*, Ser^l >ce ^
1 1 x bi La.na.3iB, »*»
To V» tndhl m m B*t****iy Some *-„*J4 ladMff—mfr V tio Fore^a and PcKtial Deparamoot,
zut-y.
So. iisaii tie Ifch yo T, Fc.t«r 1®I5-
mm-w-
29
Telegram P. 7 dated the 24th frecerred 25th) November 1915.
Fr:m—The High Commissioner of Egypt,
To— HI* ExceBaiey the Viceroy, DeOu.
Bearli:^ Xo. 706, follotriog was sent to Foreign Office, Noyember 19th.
Folionirg from Sir Mark Sykes, No. IS, for Director of Military Operations.
“ In accordance with your instructions I am waiting here for opportunity
of seeing General Officer Commanding and High Commissioner. I have by
favour of Cheetham seen correspondence re.ating to Shedffi and Arab movement.
Tiro difficulties suggest themselves :—
A. Want of confidence in our might on part of Arabs.
B. Difficulties of making arrangements with Arabs which will be
inoffensive to French susceptibilities based on historical senti
ment and financial interests.
As means of coping with difficulty A, I suggest as first step that we block
ade Cilician sates cr deny Turkish access to Syria r»i Adana plain. As
second step occupation of line Ain tab Birijek Suverek DabeHr and establish
ment of tourh with Russians while Turkish and German masses are immobi-
liied by Armenian and Anatolian winter snow, leaving Arabs, south of this
line, to do as they please details of this scheme and quantity of troops
required should reach you by 24th N’crember.
Difficulty B could be coped with in following manner :—Entente to agree
with Arabs to recognise, respect and protect Arab Provisional Government
or Governments in Vilayets of Aleppo, Beyrout, Jerusalem, Damascus and
Hedjai and TTrfa and Sand Dereor during the war and to guarantee above
areas as mi^imTim independent Arab territory after war has ended. Arabs to
engage not to grant concessions for period of 25 years directly or indirectly
to nnanciai groups of Central Powers nor for period of 10 years to establish
diplomatic relations with them
(Response to?) Russia and Italy (failing?) engage not to obtain concessions
in Vilayets of Beyrout, Aleppo, Sand Urfa and Damascus without approval
of French Government and to recognise spirit of previous agreements between
Ottoman Government and French Government with regard to educational
estabiisament in same area in suggested Arab independent State or States.