File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎173r] (343/450)

geographical position, is the obvious person to be chosen as its head, the matter has^
two sides : political and religious; as it would appear to be desired that the bherit
should enjoy a status in regard to Islam similar to that enjoyed by the first caliphs.
It must, therefore* be considered under each heading separately.
(a.) Political. —The object of a political union I understand to be the advantages
resulting from dealing on large questions with a central authority rather than with
several chiefs separated from one another by great distances, particularly in view of
the desirability of keeping out other foreign influence. But we have yet to define the
extent to which the foreign affairs of each chief are to remain in his own hands, and it
will be found that this is an extremely difficult question in cases of strong and
independent personalities, such as Bin Baud, the ruler of Nejd. I notice that he has
written to the Sherif placing his services at his disposal, but knowing the man and his
love for isolation and independence, I imagine that this means nothing more than an
offer of help in the present crisis ; and we have Idrisi reported on the 3rd July as having
accepted the suzerainty of the Sherif, and a month later.holding out with great tenacity ^
over the question of Comfida. The fact is that there are several sheikhs of importance
who will probably be ready to join him in a combined .effort to obtain release Bom
Turkish misrule, but who would resent deeply any proposal that a part of their
independence should be surrendered, however delicately it might be put before them.
Moreover, as Mr. Carruthers points out, Arabia abounds with tribal jealousies and
family feuds, these are of such importance to the parties concerned that they would at
best only he laid aside temporarily for the attainment of a common purpose, itven it a
national spirit is growing among Arabs, there are obstacles m the national character
which will take years to overcome. For these reasons I am doubtful of success m this
nroiect from the political side at present. . . . p
(b.) Religions. —We cannot be too careful to remember that this is no concern
ours, and that any public support by us of the Sherif m the assumption yy un ^ ^
title of Caliph would do us infinite harm besides ruining his chances. I notice that the
Sherif makes no claim in his proclamation, but should he proclaim himse a ip a ei
we should express neither approval nor disapproval but merely continue to supper i
foliticn attitude W-J'the Turks according to our pdertafangs Noth ln g
is more important than that the question of the Caliphate be left enti e >
Ti >nrMt should receive no public attention from us, at least, until we are
a—hed by a large aXepresenhtive body of Moslems. The Sherif must be q mte
did aware of the injury which public support by us m the first instance would do
Si!
precepts of r fy^JXon of Jehad it must be remembered that a Jehad can only be
one accoXg to Mosir teahlmg and early practice when the; Moslems take up arms m
Jp~l.rn.ti™ lit jaiU
out, and it nad enecr in ptw ^ g, T P h a d even m defence of the
vain. Should we then join with the S fj‘C 0 ved bvTuLtion and traditmn. would tell
Holy Places, the argument which '^yd^yXiP^fTouite the same extent,
against us as it has agams our ene > jjj j ere an( j that is whether it is
° There .s one more point which may be considered here,^^ ked „ w0 ghaU
wise to try to condemn jj^^nted with a real Jehad." This is
liV i AledlvsT and if is a question whether we are wise in working for the consolidation
undoubtedly ^ and it « T Moslems has generally been considered
P rirahaSt fihe advance of civilisation, and this must continue to be the case
t0 be advantageous ° appearance of a Mahdi are given a spiritual
"^pretltion by the general body of Moslems, There is but a faint sign of this at
A. T have no evidence that it is on the increase.
preS 9 Bin Sand Bin Rashid, and Koweit. Perhaps the history of the enmity existing
hetweenthe first-named Shaykhs was not sufficiently considered when instructions were