File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎189r] (375/450)

Colonel Wilson said that the Sherif could not obtain much regular revenue for some
time, and that he (Colonel Wilson) did not see how the Sherif could carry on without
considerable financial assistance. He strongly urged that the monthly allowance should
continue for a year at least. He said that he was convinced that in the Sherif we were
backing the right horse, and that much depended on how we treated him during- the
next year or so ; that we had a unique opportunity, which might never occur again, of
^curing through him an important influence in. and perhaps a certain control over,
Moslem opinion and policy throughout the world—whole-hearted support now would
repay us enormously. He added that the Sherif recently told Mahomet Massif (a
reliable man, who is his confidential religious agent at Jeddah) that about a month ago
Germany and Turkey offered him complete independence and whatever money he
wanted if he would cease the revolt. The Sherif replied that he would have nothing
to do with them. Colonel Wilson expressed his belief in the accuracy of this.
Sir H. McMahon [No. 691] reported this on the 14th August, and endorsed
Colonel Wilson’s request asking permission to substitute in his letter the words
“ for the present ” instead of i£ for four months.” He realised, he said, that since he
suggested a limit of four months on the 30th June the Sherif’s prospects ot ultimate
success had greatly increased, and in the same ratio the importance to us of his success
and the need of ensuring it.
The Foreign Office sent a telegram | No. 678] to Sir H. McMahon on the 15th
August authorising him to make the change he suggested in his letter to the
Sherif.
The Sherif and Colonel Wilson.
Sir H. McMahon telegraphed on the 14th August [No. 69-] that Colonel Wilson
had reported that he had been cordially welcomed by the Sherif on his appointment to
Jeddah. He was proceeding to Yambo to see the Sherif’s sons, Ah and Faisal, and to
discuss their military situation—this by arrangement with the Sherif.
French Mission to the Sherif.
Sir H. McMahon reported on the 14th August [No. 693] that_the French Minister
had informed him as to the proposal of his Government to send a mission to congratulate
the Sherif. Sir H. McMahon said that he understood that the mission would also
arrange at Jeddah for the reception of 500 selected pilgrims of good - status whom the
French Government proposed to send from Morocco, Tunis, and Algiers.
The Proclamation.
Sir H. McMahon reported on the 14th August [No. 695] that the Sherif continued
to urge that it was desirable that the original proclamation shou d e pu is e m
Egypt, and that the Sultan also desired that this shou d be done. He himseli
considered that the time had arrived when publication should be allowed m Egypt, and
asked whether there was any objection to this being done. i • u i i r
In this same despatch Sir H. McMahon also reported the formal withdrawal of the
French objections to publication; objections which the French Minister stated had been
based on small technical points, which had been misunderstood m the brief summary of
the P g° e cl ^^ r n reported that Sherif had informed Colonel Wilson that he had
already sent the original proclamation to India.
The Turkish Government and the Revolt.
One agent reports [06839] that the Turks attribute this to British g-old and the
ruthlessness of Djemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . Another [06772] that the Turkish Government
threatened to confiscate all the real property of Arabs, and to send a large expedi ion
if propaganda fails.
Opinion in India.
On the 16th July Sir G. Boos-Keppel, in a private letter to the Viceroy, wrote as
follows of the reception of the news of the Shenfs revolt m the 01
Provinces:—