File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎165r] (327/450)

1. It would be entirely political, and would have nothing to do with the Caliphate,
a matter in which his Government had decided not to intervene. The
object of the mission was t.o get into touch with the chief who would in
future be responsible for the Holy Places and to settle the pilgrim question
_ with him.
2 It would consist of two divisions, one civil and the other military ; the latter
being subdivided into two groups, one consisting of Moslems who would
proceed to Mecca, the other of French officers who would not go to Arabia.
The military division was intended to discuss with the Sherif, in agreement
with the British military authorities, how best to assist him.
i 3. Colonel^ Bremond, the chief of the military division, would also direct the
political one; he had been instructed to act only in complete agreement
with the British authorities.
4. The military division was to leave Marseilles for Alexandria on the 23rd
August.
5. The French Minister had been instructed to ask for the help of the High
Commissioner.
Sir H. McMahon asked for instructions, and on the 28th August was informed by
the Foreign Office [No. 699] that he should put Colonel Brernond in touch with the
military authorities, and give the mission every assistance; that Colonel Wilson should
be instructed to inform the Sherif of its impending arrival, and otherwise to facilitate
its progress, but that he should not describe the mission as “ political.” Sir IT. McMahon
was also informed that it was understood, unofficially, that the French Minister’s note
went beyond the intentions of his Government, who only wished to make it quite clear
that the mission was in no wise concerned with the Caliphate.
Sir H. McMahon again telegraphed on the 29th August [No. 735] that the French
Minister had informed him that the mission was taking presents of great value and that
therefore it was fitting that the Sherif himself should do what was necessary for its
transport and safety, and that he should send a suitable representative to Jeddah to
take full responsibility. Sir H. McMahon proposed to communicate this to the Sherif.
He added that he had suggested that it might injure the Sherif and frustrate our
efforts if the mission were advertised as an official one from a Christian Power. He
suggested that it would be better for it to be know^n as a congratulatory mission from the
Moslems of the French Empire coming with the approval of its sympathetic Government,
The French Minister promised to bring this suggestion to the notice of his Government.
MASKAT.
[Nil.]
%
KOWEYT AND THE TRUCIAL COAST A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. .
[Nil.]
BAHREIN.
[Nil]
PART II.
POLITICAL EVENTS IN THE FIELDS OF OPERATIONS.
Lower Mesopotamia.
More papers have been received from the Chief Political Officer at Basia dealing
with the condition of the occupied district and the manner oi its administration on
Indian lines. Two of these papers (both written by Miss Gertrude Bell) are printed^ as
Appendices (A) and (B). Another, also written by Miss Bell, calls attention to existing