File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎232r] (460/481)

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of tlio native Aloslem iniml, ljut unfortunately any sucli opportunity lias now
been let slip beyond recall.
My impression is that His Highness feels this very keenly, and considers
that his position would be far different if he were invited by the Syrians
t° rule over them, lie would then have a moral sanction as being desired
as ruler by a body of Moslems, this would react on tin 1 local Moslem
view of his position, and he would enjoy the sense of being the bearer
of something more than an imaginary title in the eyes of his subjects,
llis Highness was, for this reason, I think, particularly anxious that
Damascus at least should be included in the (lovernment of Egypt. In
event of the Caliphate being assumed by the Sherif of Mecca it is particu
larly desirable that the Sherif should proceed to confirm the Sultan of
Egypt in his present title.
Before giving the result of my further investigations, it is necessary to
draw attention to a certain aspect of our position as regards France and the
question of Syria.
■lust as our enemy’s agents work upon conscious and unconscious instru
ments to keep Bulgaria and Greece in permanent opposition, in order to
prevent them combining to assist us, and by the same means endeavour to
disseminate mutual suspicions in the minds of the Russian and British
peoples in regard to the fate of Constantinople, so it is obvious the same
forces are at work to provoke discord between ourselves and France in
regard to Syria. The methods pursued by which the result is arrived at are
difficult to detect, but it is manifest that the idea is abroad that Great
Britain and France each desire the whole of Syria from El Arish to
Alexandretta for themselves
As far as one can see this atmosphere of suspected rivalry is produced on
the one hand by the known opinions of certain Frenchmen who favour the
pushing of the Syrian claims of France to the furthest degree, these are no
doubt stimulated by the influence of Ad. Vitalis who is himself moved by
Huguenin who in turn is
of German Constantinople
Finance.
On the other hand we have in the opposite direction the constant expression
of Syrian Moslem hopes that Great Britain will take Syria. These hopes are
very likely fostered in some devious way by the agents of the Committee ol
Union and Progress. In this way suggestion of rivalry between Great
Britain and France is prod need in Cairo, just as the suggestion of Anglo-
Russian rivalry' is spread about in Athens and Sofia. In both cases the
suggestions emanate from people who speak in all sincerity but whose views
are traceable to ultimate sources of a hostile kind.
Captain St. Quentin late Military attache at Constantinople attached to
the French military mission in Egypt, whom I met, expressed his opinion to
me that the idea of rivalry was fostered in some such way,_ and cited as
examples the article in the Revue Hebdomadaire of June the 5th by Senator
Ol/J 111 j i j n vy *
personal considerations and his connection with M.
a Swiss and not out of touch with the ramifications!
Han din and the Anglo-phil gossip of local Syrians which was constantly
teing dinned in the ears of Frenchmen in Egypt. In spite ol the fact that
all discussions on this subject are forbidden in the press, and that the British
authorities give no countenance to either view, the atmospheie of doubt
remains amfwill remain until the British and French Governments clear up
the matter bv some definite pronouncement. ....
It will be seen from the above that in making any investigation in the
matter of Syrian opinion or solution of the Turkish question, one was obliged
to walk rather warily. . . . , T
I will now proceed to give the views of the various persons whom I
interviewed.
Smd Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Shltaii!.- Expressed the view that annexation by France was
undesirable from the Syrian point of view both Moslem and Christian, owing
to the pet tv methods of French administration, the probability of navigation
laws and tariffs in favour of French interests, the ruthless methods o
exploitation practised by French concessionaires and the influence which
financiers have with the French Government. He anticipated further that
the French would develop religious antagonism by supporting Christians
against Moslems, that from a narrow point of view this was desirable, but