File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎197v] (392/450)

publication of a carefully-worded proclamation, the arrival of an Arab deputation, under
official segis, would be positively dangerous. Indian Moslem opinion is settling down to
a satisfactory condition of quiescence : if the Sherif makes good his revolt Indian opinion
may be- relied upon to resign itself to the fait accompli.
Suggested Propaganda in South Mesopotamia.
General Lake telegraphed to the Secretary of State on the 25th July in regard to
the suggestions made by the letter in the telegram noted in the last report. The
Secretary of State it will be remembered suggested a propaganda among the Arabs in
favour of the Sherif s movement, and the possibility of starting a local Arabic newspaper.
In regard to active propaganda, by us, General Lake is of opinion that in face of the
apathetic attitude of the Arabs it would produce an undesirable impression, though
the Sherifs proclamation, which might be distributed by suitable agents, would be
likely to have effect. As to the proposed newspaper: this “ would need very expert
and close supervisionand “ might very easily tend to force the pace unduly—-
disadvantages which are considered to out-balance possible good. He says that the
Arabic edition of the c< Basra Times ” had been considerably improved, that a
considerable number of copies of the Cairo newspapers “ A1 Umram ” and “ Mokattam”
are distributed, and that the £< Haqiqat ” also reaches them ; and suggested that a
separate Arabic literary supplement should be issued with the latter.
THE IDBJSI.
The G.O.C. Egypt telegraphs to C.I.G.S on the 30th Jnly [LA. 2266] that
it was at present quite impossible to get any of the Turkish trained Arab artillerymen
to go to the Idrisi; but according to a telegram of the same date from Arab Bureau to
H.I.D. [Baba 45] guns are going.
IBN BASHID.
In the last report it was noted that Mr. Chamberlain had suggested an attempt to
reconcile Ibn Rashid with Ibn Saud. In a telegram dated the 25th July, General Lake
says that relations with Ibn Rashid have been broken off, and intimates that there is
no chance of arriving at a good understanding with him; efforts, however, will again
be made when the Sheriffs proclamation is received as that will give a new opening.
The Arab Bureau [Report 10, p. 6] reports that Ibn Tawala, with some 400 tents
of the Aslam section of the Shammar, has quarrelled with Ibn Rashid ; it is reported
that they are making overtures to Jabar of Kuweit. They are friendly. The Bureau
also states [p. 7] that Ibn Rashid’s caravan is somewhere in the vicinity of Zuhair, the
Sheikh of which place has refused him free access till he has answered a letter written
to him by the C.P.O. on the 27th May. Also [p. 7] that the A.P.O. at Khamsiyah
reports that there is no doubt as to Ibn Rashid being in constant communication with
the Turks.
MUSCAT.
Nil.
KOWEIT AND TRUCIAL COAST A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. .
Nil.
PART II.
POLITICAL EVENTS IN FIELDS OF OPERATIONS.
N Mesopotamia.
The Arab Bureau [Report 10, p. 7] reports under date the 12th June that “ G.O.C.
XVth Division states that travellers, agents, &c., all report that the Nejf Ulema are
writing letters to the tribes stirring them up against the Turks and representing the
British to be safer allies.”