File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎68v] (134/450)

On the 15th November Sherif Zeid left Rabegh to join Faisal at Hamra with 500
camel corps.
The brother of Sheikh Hussein Mubeiriq has come into .Rabegh, and the only son
of the latter is said to be coming.
Sherif Ali has sent to Bir Hosani, on Sultani road, an advanced post of (500 men.
Faisal’s force is in good heart; there are several Billi Shaykhs with him, and Faisa^
hopes confidently to win over this tribe to Sherif shortly. As soon as guns are received
he contemplates an early move north. A representative of Nuri Shalan recently with
Faisal is expected to return from Jauf in a fortnight.
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. s Position.
On the 9th November Sir H. McMahon repeated to the Foreign Office [No. 99ii]
a telegram which he had sent 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. saying that it appeared that the time had
come when it would simplify matters if he assumed full political direction of the Arab
question, and asking whether he concurred. Sir R. Wingate expressed his concurrence
on the following day in a telegram which he repeated to the Foreign Office. As
Sir H. McMahon had desired he undertook to repeat all telegrams and correspondence
for his information; and added that he should consult the High Commissioner on
doubtful points, and should always be very grateful for any comments or views he
might be good enough to express.
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. s Plans.
These, as detailed in the last report, have been approved, as also his proposal to
have a British military mission at Rabegh, which the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs in his telegram 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. intimating this approval on the 9th November
[No. 9] said “ will be able to keep us more accurately informed regarding the situation,
as at present we get the most contradictory reports.”
The Secretary of State also said that reports said that, owing to ignorance, much
of the material we are supplying is wasted, particularly machine guns. He suggested
that it might be possible to provide some trained Indian Mohammedan personnel for
machine guns and mountain guns. With the resources in Mohammedan personnel at
our disposal, even if the Sudan cannot assist, and with the assistance the French have
offered, it should, Viscount Grey thinks, be possible to provide the Sherif with the
backing he requires.
French Assistance.
Sir R. Wingate telegraphed [No. 15] on the 11 th November that he had informed
Colonel Bremond, through Colonel Wilson, of the decision that the French contingent
with' machine-gun companies might proceed to Rabegh. Colonel Bremond replied that
he had telegraphed to Captain Boucher at Suez to have the machine-guns ready for
immediate embarkation—there should now be sixteen of them ; he had also telegraphed
to Colonel Cadi to come to Rabegh from Mecca to take command. Sir R. Wingate
'then asked Colonel Bremond to instruct Captain Boucher to embark the machine-guns
and despatch them to Rabegh. The Admiral would inform him as to the proposed
measures^ in regtrd to water supply, as to which he had inquired; and he, 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. ,
was sending an experienced British medical officer and a small staff
But on the 11th November the French Ambassador left a note at the Foreign
Office in which it was pointed out that there had been a misunderstanding. The
French Government was ready to collaborate to the utmost possible in providing for
the security of the Sherit ; but the first necessity was lor England to land a brigade of
infantry at Rabegh, and the French Government was not disposed to send its technical
contingent till this had been done.
Offer of Senegalese Troops.
. 0n the Hth November the Foreign Office telegraphed [No. U] 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.
saying that the French Government had offered to place two battalions of Senegalese
troops now at Jibouhi at the disposal of His Majesty’s Government in order to
facilitate the despatch to Rabegh of an infantry contingent. The War Committee
suggested that they might be utilised in the Sudan, and thus release two Sudanese
battalions for service at Rabegh.
To this 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. replied on the following dav [No. 16] that the doing this would
not be understood in the Sudan and would create a feeling of unrest. Moreover, the