File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎67r] (131/450)

SECRET.
APPRECIATION OF ATTACHED ARABIAN REPORT No. XVIII
General Situation.
IF the Arab Bureau’s telegram No. A.B. 229 is accurate, the whole situation in
. Jaz lb r, ™ : i ea . sier > and the Arabs appear to be reassembling in a satisfactory
manner. One point, however, which requires attention is the question of future
co-operation between the French and British on the spot; it would appear advisable
before any question of rivalry arises, that both should be urged to adopt a mutual
attitude of the utmost frankness, as otherwise the path of both Arabs, British, and
t rench is beset with a number of unavoidable temptations ; for instance, the request of
the bheril for one tanner and two gardeners from Algeria, viewed in one light, mi"lit
appear to be “the thin edge of the wedge,” the first step towards French domina-
ion, &c., yet, if looked at without any dark suspicion, is merely the sort of demand
that Oriental potentates suddenly make when ordinary conversation begins to flag.
The Pilgrimage.
Now that the French pilgrimage is safely home, it is to be hoped that full publicity
will be given to the success ot the whole affair. From private sources it appears that
the Algerians were highly delighted with the treatment accorded them.
Officers’ Reports.
The reports of Captains Bray and Lawrence deserve close and careful reading.
Captain Lawrence’s statement in regard to the French attitude to the Arabs, and
his reference to their larger schemes of policy, must be the result of some misunder
standing, either by Captain Lawrence of the French, or by the French officers of their
own Government’s intentions, as it seems in no way to fit in with anything said or
thought here or in Paris. Last week I saw Colonel Chardigny, since gone to the
Caucasus, who was engaged in the Hejaz work in Paris, and certainly he spoke as if the
French military view was that every use should be made of every Arab who would serve
our purpose.
Aden.
Colonel Jacob’s comments, though brief, are of the very greatest importance. He
gives a clear view of the state of affairs which prevails in the Aden Hinterland.
The Sultan of Egypt.
The sentence of death passed on the Sultan of Egypt by a court-martial in Aleppo
is of sinister import, and, if taken in connection with the Islam Kultur Society’s
proceedings, may be the forerunner of another attempt upon his life.
[898 — 17]