File 705/1916 Pt 1 'Arab revolt: reports' [‎246v] (40/494)

occupied in doing something that with businesslike arrangements could have
been done in twenty at the outside. Excellent reasons can be found for each
halt in this complicated and correct pilgrimage, but the fact remains that men
who might have been of immense value have been eating rations and doing
nothing, while the official wheels revolved in their appointed grooves.
Captain Bray’s notes, observations, and proposals are worthy of
consideration as indicating the existence among Indian Moslems of certain
ideas and sentiments which might be worth fostering as a counterpoise to the
views of the members of the All India Moslem League and the Khudan-i-Ka aba
Similar suggestions have been received from Major-General lowell and
Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander, two Indian officers of considerable experience.
If anything is to be done in this matter it requires early attention and action.
The “Tanin” article needs careful attention. It is bitter and contemptuous,
and designed to foster hatred and scorn of England in the minds of its
readers; it should be observed that this article is a part of the Committee of
Union and Progress propaganda in Turkey. In Europe and on the battle
fronts the propaganda of the Committee of Union and Progress takes t e
form of showing the Turk as a “good fellow ” and fighting “ more m sorrow
than in anger ” against Great Britain. This is a form of policy much to be
admired ; for to mollify your enemy and inflame your supporters is equally
advantageous in the event of either victory or defeat.
The German officer’s observations made to our secret agent are
illuminating, as showing the importance which Germans attach to Turkey,
and their keen appreciation of the political, strategic, colonial, and economic
potentialities of the Ottoman provinces.
The news from Syria still continues vague, but there seems to be grounds
for hope that the movement will spread. For the movement to be a success
it will require all* the brains, energy, and enthusiasm we can put into it.
The three essentials on our part are uniformity of plan, policy, and control.
(Signed)
MARK SYKES.
July 4, 1916.
p g,—ppe I.G. 822 arrived after the report was prepared for the press.
The scheme sketched by the Sherif is of interest, and makes the loss of
time in getting the Arab prisoners from India more regrettable.
Not too much importance need be attributed to the hostility of the
Arabs at Rabej ; probably they were wild, suspicious, and excited, and did
not know whether there was not some plan to conquer the country. The
incident is an excellent example of the difficulties with which we shall have
to contend in dealing with what a well-known writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. described as a “ fox-
hearted elfin people.”
M. S.