File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎85v] (168/450)

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“ In these ‘ Fetva ’ there will be specified the lawful reason whereby every
Moslem shall consider himself authorised to help the ‘ Fidai ’ both morally and
materially, since the ‘ Fidai ’ are charged to punish by death those amongst the
princes and chiefs of the Moslem world who, continuing their present policy, are
ruinina: the power of Islam and the influence of the caliphate of Constantinople.
“ The significance of the mandate conferred on the emissaries and Young Turk
homicides is that it is strictly limited to princes and chiefs of the Mohammedans,
guilty of treachery and hence liable to the death penalty according to the ‘ Sciaria,’
whereas the political and military heads of the Quadruple Alliance being free to
act in their own interests in support of their own cause, their murder, according to
Moslem law, would be unjustifiable under the circumstances.
“ In preparation for the general Moslem rising, the central empires are sending
a large quantity of arms and munitions to North Africa by means of German
submarines and neutral sailing ships which appear to have bases on the
Spanish coast.
“ Among those Arab nationalists who are interested, there is specially
indicated Mohamed Scetuan, brother of the late deputy for Bengasi-Jussf, Scetuab
Bey, who is now in Berlin, to assist Pan-Islamic propaganda receiving a monthly
stipend from the German Government.
“ It has not been possible to date to obtain information of the arrival in
Switzerland of the Young Turk homicides. The number of students from the East
has been increasing for some time at Lausanne-Ouchy and the neighbourhood.
Amongst others there are young Egyptians, Libians, and youths from French
North Africa, who travel freely between Germany and Switzerland, and are
consequently suspect. Some of them come from Turkey as finance students.
These must evidently have left their country of origin, before or after the war, with
Entente passports which they will use when returning.”
Saiyid Talib Bey.
Saiyid Talib, who is at present residing in India, offered his services to the British
Government; explaining that previously he had been prevented by promises made to
the Turks not to actively help the English, but now he was free to do so, as the Turks
had included his name in a list of those appointed for execution. The matter was
referred to Cairo, but tbe High Commissioner regretted that at present there was
nothing open for Saiyid Talib either in Cairo or Mecca. [I.O. : P. 4270.]
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The Indian Officers who Visited the Sherif.
The D.M.I. telegraphed to the Arab Bureau on the 31st October that these two
officers had been granted three months’ leave of absence to India.
APPENDIX.
Cuttings from the Press.
Buns in Palestine . Ao reyard for the Sacred Buildings.
. x „ . . ' * Petrograd, Thursday.
According to information received from Jerusalem, all the buildings of the Palestine
Orthodox Society at Jerusalem and other places in Palestine were recently used as
barracks for luikish and German troops, who pay absolutely no regard to the relkbous
significance of the Holy Land.—Beuter. ° 5
[“Evening Standard,” 27th October.]