File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎15v] (28/450)

2
The Viceroy telegraphed on the 16th January that Sir Percy Cox had already
been instructed to strike out the words, and had doubtless informed those concerned in
suitable terms. The Government of India, however, deprecated participation, even to
the extent of suggesting that the Shaykhs should send a messenger under a safe'"''
conduct. Moreover, it seemed premature to encourage them to definitely commit
themselves.
Indian Undesirables.
On the 13th January the Viceroy of India telegraphed to Cairo saying that it had
been reported that Mahmoud Hassan, having been driven out of Mecca, was returning
to India. It was considered important that he should not return there, and it was
hoped that, if he left Hejaz, arrangements would be made to intern him in Egypt or
Malta.
On the same day Sir P. Wingate reported the deportation of six undesirables to
whence they would be sent to Malta; he added that it was estimated that
there were twenty of them in all.
Asir.
The Farsan Islands.
The Resident at Aden telegraphed on the 11 th January that he had received a
telegram from Colonel J acob giving the result of his interview with Idrisi; and again on
the 14th January that Lieutenant Nalder had arrived at Aden with letters from
Colonel Jacob giving the details of his interview. The contents of the two telegrams
may be summarized as follows :—
1 . Idrisi was greatly upset by our hoisting the British flag, and by the presence of
the guard. He said that the flag was as repugnant at Farsan as it would
be at Jizan, and was likely to draw down Turkish vengeance, as implying
the cession of the island to us and, further, it would preclude future
favour qua arms from France and Italy.
2 . He was prepared to sign an agreement the main points of which would be :
(a.) No cession or mortgage of the Farsan islands, or of any interest
therein, to any foreign Power.
( 6 .) Protection by the British Government from foreign aggression.
3. He also engaged himself to effectively occupy the islands and to maintain his
flag thereon.
The Resident added that, unless he should be otherwise instructed, he was telling;
Colonel Jacob to make the agreement and remove the flag. ®
Aden.
The G O C. telegraphed on the 12 th January [No. 114] that Saiyid Ahmad Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
and Kazi ol laiz were reported to have gone home early in January and that the
estimated decrease, since the 13th December, of the Arab irregulars with Said Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
was 300 ; the majority of them having gone since the 1 st January ; and on the following
day [No. 126] he telegraphed that the reports that, on or about the 3 rd January two
mountain guns had left for Yemen, were regarded as confirmed •
• f Th 5 telegra P h t d T th ® , 15th Januar y t 312 A.P.] that l le had been
informed by the Governor oi Erythrea (through the Indian eonsul in Aden) of a well
confirmed report that Lij Yasu had fled from Donkalia with the object of embarW
lor Shaykh baKfi where the commandant was said to expect him. The Governor of
Jibuti had been informed. OI
Nejd.
In reply to an enquiry from the Secretary of State for Trim a v;
telegraphed on the 7th December [P. 5129] that instructions had been issued for^he
immediate supply to Ibn baud of four machine guns and 1,000 M L M riflp« .l ew
the possibility of providing the other 2,000 w!s under consideration. 1 Tbe ^fcerov
added that they agreed to the grant of a monthly subsidy of 5 0007 The J/ r
State telegraphed on the 4th January approvin/these proposals, and lid that fPtfe
S end™ n EY ° SUPP 7 number of rifles, the War Office could
[And see Jebel Shammar.]