File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎126r] (249/450)

are unknown even to members of the Committee. Letters are headed Al-Badieh (The
Desert). The organ of the Arab Committee used to be “ Al-Mufid,” published in
Bey rout. When suppressed, it appeared under the title of £e Fatat-el-Arab.” Both
the editor, Abdul-Ghani-el-Arisi, and the manager, Mir A’aref-el-Shihabi, have been
nanged by Jemal.
Second-Lieutenant Shurbaji believes that the Arab Committee was in constant
communication with the Sherif, through the latter’s son, Feisaal.
At Constantinople the Arab movement was kept alive by the Arab University
students, who gathered in the Arab club, called Al-Muntada-al-Adabi-al-Arabi. Arab
officers in Constantinople used to frequent the club. Selim-Bey-al-Jazaairih, Colonel in
the General Staff, used very often to address the students. He also was hanged by
Jemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. at Constantinople.
On the outbreak of the war, about 400 of the Arab students in Constantinople
were made Deserve officers, and detailed to various fronts, but mostly to the Caucasus
and the Dardanelles. The 300 Arab students of the Military College at Damascus
were also made Deserve officers. Even in the army they are keeping up their
aspirations for freedom and independance. They are undaunted, and have been seen
marching through the streets of Damascus singing revolutionary songs against the
Turks.
Second-Lieutenant Shurbaji thinks that the young Arab officers are the backbone
of the Arab movement. The Arab organisation is sound and complete. Christians,
Moslems, Druses, and Jews are ready to rise up in arms and strike at- the first sign of
intervention by the Allies. The aspirations of the Arabs are known. The principle object
is to throw off the Turkish yoke. As to the Government and administration of the
country, Second-Lieutenant Shurbaji states that the majority of the populations lean
towards an autonomy, under the suzerainty of Great Britain. He admits, however,
that the majority of the Lebanese and a number of Syrian Christians have a preference
for France. However, both powers are looked upon as the saviours of the Arab race.
The greater sympathy for England is a result of a comparison between French
colonisation in Algeria and Tunis and British rule in India and Egypt.
The following is an approximate estimate of the numbers of the disaffected armed
men who would rise in Syria and Palestine if opportunity offered :—
Place—
Jebel Druse
Nablus
Lebanon ...
Jebel Kalbie
Number.
22.000 Druses.
8.000 deserters.
7.000 deserters.
20.000 Maronites.
10.000 deserters and
local rebels.
67,000
The rank and file of the troops in Syria and Palestine are at least one-third Syrians,
and disaffected.
Forty per cent, of the officers are Syrians, and hostile to the Turks.
N.B.—'No account is taken here of the Bedawins and Nomads of the Shameyih.
THE SHEDIF OF MECCA.
Capture of Taif.
Sir H. McMahon telegraphed on the 23rd September [No. 805] that the Sherif had
reported the capture of the Turkish garrison at Taif; and on the 20th September
[No. 811] he sent further particulars. Abdulla has taken 83 officers, 1,982 rank and
file, 10 guns, 160,318 rounds of rifle ammunition, 275 of gun ammunition, and a large
number of rifles and tents ; together with 72 civilian employes.
Other Operations.
Sir H. McMahon telegraphed on the 24th September [No. 807] a report received
from Colonel Wilson at ^Babegh, dated the 22nd September. He said that a long
conference between Ali, Aziz al Masri, and Nuri had been held that morning on die
“ Dufferin,” and that the following decision had been arrived at. Ali was to remain at
Dabegh with at least 5,000 men, and Thissal [? Faisal] was moving to Al Makshush, a