File 705/1916 Pt 1 'Arab revolt: reports' [‎236r] (19/494)

sound educational propaganda, was dealt a heavy blow. There are, it is
true, a great number of English schools, hospitals, and missions in Turkey,
but not one of these is purely educational. They are either sectarian or
instituted exclusively for the benefit of the Jews. They only draw a certain
class of people who are on the look-out for personal benefits, and are not
animated by zeal or sympathy for England. I believe that Syrians who
had emigrated to Egypt and British colonies did more to foster British
influence amongst their fellow countrymen in Turkey than all the English
Missions and Schools. They have been the most valuable asset to British
rule in Egypt, and always upheld it against the intrigues and machinations
of Egyptian nationalists and Turkish emissaries.
German Influence.
In dealing with German influence in Turkey it will not be necessary to
give any account of all the German intrigues during the reign of Abdul
Hamid and the dictatorship of the Young Turks. The facts are too recent
and too vivid to have been forgotten. Germany has always aimed at
monopolising Turkish trade and controlling the Turkish Army. Ihe
Emperor himself laid the foundation-stone of this policy when he visited
Turkey in 1897. It was then pursued steadfastly by Marshal von Bieber-
stein and von Wagenheim, aided by von der Goltz. We have had a
striking proof of their success in the present war. Germany not only in
duced Turkey to join her against the Allies, but actually became the
despotic ruler of the Turkish Empire. As a consequence, however, she
had no influence or sympathy with the Arabs. The Germans are classed
with the Turks as brutal aggressors, and not unnaturally, since German
consular agents and German colonists in Syria and Palestine treated the
natives as an inferior race. Their insolent behaviour gave rise to bitter
dislike, which often led to quarrels, and even on one or two occasions to
the murder of Germans by Arab peasants. In a word, the Arab feeling
for Germany and the Germans is one of intense hatred.
Russian Influence.
Turkey has always regarded Russia as her hereditary enemy and the
Turkish Government have always tried to instil a hatred of Russia into
the masses. Russia’s influence with the Arabs is limited to those of a
common religion, i.e. the Greek Orthodox.
The Best Rule for the Arabs.
The Arabs, whatever their religion, look upon England and France
for their emancipation from Turkish tyranny. The following is an attempt
to state fairly and clearly what, in the writer’s opinion, would be the best
form of rule for the Arabs in the future.
There are three courses worthy of consideration : (1) complete inde
dependence j (2) some form of Protectorate under the Powers interested,
(3) autonomy under European control.
Complete independence is advocated by a small number of Arabs