File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎56v] (110/450)

i :i 1
2
, M
I H
f<
“ Local Britisli officers are anxious regarding affair, but I await precise
reports from them and Arab leaders before I can say whether Turkish threat is
sufficiently grave to justify immediate consideration of emergency measures
foreshadowed in my telegram No. 9 of the 7th November and my telegram No. 31
ot the 22 nd November. My opinion regarding desirability of preventing at all
costs the capture of Eabegh by Turks is unchanged ; and if Turks advance in
force immediately before organisation and training of local Arab forces and trained
bands are ^ completed its capture can only be prevented by assistance of
regular (British or French) troops. At both Babegh and Yen bo there are now
considerable quantity of warlike stores and supplies for Sherif.”
The Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. telegraphed again on the 5th December that Colonel Parker had
reported from Babegh that 6 officers and 24 other Arab prisoners had volunteered for
service with the Sherifs forces.
lieport of the Arab Bureau.
The Arab Bureau telegraphed [A.B. 337] on the 4 th December as follows
Shaykh Hamed Ibn Bifada, of Billi bribe, in co-operation with a detach-
ment from Feisal, has succeeded in cutting Turkish communications between Elala
and Wejh, and capturing Turkish convoy of 70 camels.
“ There is no definite news of Abdulla, who was last reported a fortnight ago
on Eastern road, 4 days north of Mecca. Turks sent one battalion to Khank
40 miles E.S E. of Medina, and report, probably correct, states that this battalion
las been badly cut up by Arabs, and lost one gun and three maxims.
£C Three Turkish battalions on Derbelfura, furthest south being 20 miles south
of Birelmash, which is their regimental headquarters : these battalions are suffering
-- scurvy. According to a statement made by two deserter doctors, this is
42nd Begunent. 55th and 130th still in Birderwish Birabbas area. One of the
Vui u has ® n g a pT Wltl1 detachment from latter place at Sireh, between
Abdulla and Kheif and aBer sharp fighting the enemy camels fled back to Abdulla
leaving a 0 dead. Feisal is optimistic, and, having postponed plan of advancino' to
Wejh. proposes sending the camel corps at Eardas to cut the railway, and if Turks
advance south, will himself go for Derbelfura. J
At Medina, according to one report, the railway traffic has ceased.”
The Sherif s Title.
The Secretary of State for India telegraphed to the Viceroy on the 2 nh
November in regard to the announcement in the “ Kibla.” suggesting that he should
act as Sir H. McMahon had done. [See Arabian Beport N S XIX p 5 1 To thi «3
the Viceroy replied on the 30th November that the issue of the tibia'” in which
through ” fS aSSUmp n ° f Kln g sh, P " as announced was being “allowed to pass
,, The Secretary ot State lor Horeign Affairs telegraphed to the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. INo 271 on
LaLtdr^sro?^
, b ® recognised by the Allied Governments asking of th^Foly
Places (Malek-el-Hanjayein), with the title of “ Lord ” (Syriadia) ; it observed th-b
such designations would not open up future claims of extended territorial or natiomd
sovereignty, and would not ottend other Arab Chiefs, whilst they would be likely to
his’fejf “ m0 ‘' eaSe PreShge ' The Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. ^ked to telegraph
On the 3rd December the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. [No. 55] telegraphed that the proposed title
might be open to objection on the ground that, as distinct from . a territorial a
religious significance would be given to it R P ; nr >i; T10 H f a
original suggestion of “ King of the Arabs in Hejaz” would°be ^ferIn th^nof
regarding his assumption of the regal title, then on its way to Colonel Wilson the
Sherif was addressed by the Arab style “ Sahib el Siyada.” “ vvnson, the
4^
r
The Sherif and the Shaykhs.
+ v,e k he •f irdar t ®!T?P hed [No - 49 l on the 29 *k November that he had received from
the Sherif a cordial telegram of thanks and congratulations to Ibn Saud and tl”
r 'j~ ^
I r