File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎219v] (436/450)

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(7) I look upon this revolt of the Grand Sherif as giving us the strongest
strategic lever we have .yet had against the Turkish power, and we should use it
without delay, and to the fullest possible extent.
F'u'sth/ — By sending immediately military assistance in men and munitions, and
Secondly —In educating Mahommedan opinion to the true nature of this revolt
by sending emissaries to every possible Mahommedan district ; notably to
Afghanistan and the many Arab tribes.
If we can assist the Grand Sherif dry proclaiming a “Jehad “ against the Young
Turk amongst the Mahommedans in Africa and Asia, we shall do more to defeat the
Turkish power than we have yet been able to do in either Gallipoli, Egypt, or
Mesopotamia.
The Sheriff probably sees clearer than anyone that the whole question of IsJamism
is to a large extent shaken to its foundations by the fact of Turkey entering this war
against Great Britain.
(8) What //as already happened is this : Great Britain deposed, as it were, the
Sultan of Turkey on the outbreak of war, and immediately set up a new Sultan, with
Egypt as his country (centre ?).
What we may be certain will happen is as follows :—
The Allies will win this war, and, as a result, Turkish power will cease to exist
both in Europe and Asia, and with it, the Sultan of Turkey—the Khaliph.
The Sherif recognises this more than anybody, and that now is his opportunity
for asserting himself as true head of Islamism, and the true descendant of the
Prophet. And can anyone argue that this might not end in being the best
arrangement ? Geographically it is sound, as he—the Sherif—actually holds
sway in Mecca. That he is also revered as a true descendant of the Prophet,
and as a Holy man, goes without saying.
(9) I foresee very clearly myself that this is even as great an opportunity for
Great Britain as it is for the Sherif: We are, I trust, on the eve of driving Turkish
power and misrule from Mesopotamia for ever, and it is our mission to regenerate
that unhappy country, and to bring it back once more to the rich civilisation which
obtained in ancient days. It is a country rich in Holy Mahommedan Shrines,
venerated by the numerous tribes of Arabs who really hold sway in Mesopotamia. If
we make a firm friend of the Sherif now, as we have it in our power to do, we at once
consolidate our friendship with these numerous tribes.
It requires no argument to prove how great an asset that would prove to be in
taking over the government of this now turbulent country—a strategic asset of the
highest possible value, and we should lose no time in setting the necessary machinery
in motion, which may be briefly summed up as follows : —
(u) Despatch of a mission to the Grand Sherif.
(6) Despatch of Mahommedan troops to his assistance.
(c) In concert with the Sherif, the despatch of Mahommedan emissaries to every
Arab tribe to preach a “ Jehad ” against the Atheist Young Turk.
(10) In conclusion, I cannot do better than bear testimony to the loyalty of Indian
Moslems : -
At the outbreak of war with Turkey, the “ Khaliph of all Mahommedans,” at the
instigation of the Kaiser, proclaimed a “Jehad” against Great Britain. It fell flat
amongst the millions of that faith whom we govern, and the reason for this failure
was due to the loyalty of our 70 millions of Mahommedans in India. This lovalty
was voiced by a celebrated Moslem Judge, who may be said to have for ever cemented
the affection of his Mahommedan brothers to the British Raj m a beautiful poem,
and it may not be inopportune to quote here one verse : —
“ Oh England, in thine hour of need
Thine equal justice, mercy, grace
Have made a distant alien race
A part of thee.
they whom thy love hath guarded long,
They whom thy care hath rendered strong.
In love and faith.
Their heart strings round thy heart entwine,
They are, they ever will be thine,
In life, in death.”
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