File 705/1916 Pt 1 'Arab revolt: reports' [‎247r] (41/494)

[This Document is the Propert y, of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
SECRET.
Reprinted for reference only.
l
ARABIAN
(No. XXI a. ASIA.)
Week ending July 4, 1916.
THE SHERIF OF MECCA.
Military Action.
There is now some information as to the exact military situation in Hejaz. It
appears that the fort of Taif is still holding out, though Abdulla has captured a gun,
200 men, and has breached one side of the enemy’s defences. The two forts at Mecca
are still holding out, but it is anticipated that they will succumb to thirst shortly ; one
of them has a stone barrack and a garrison of 800, while the other, a redoubt, has a
small garrison and three or four guns.
Humours continue to come in as to the Turkish preparations for dealing with the
revolt. Faruki, from Jeddah, has estimated that there are in Syria 10,000 Germans,
15,000 Turks, and 12,000 Syrians. The Sherif estimates the Syrian army at 35,000,
mostly Syrians. The Syrians are known to be disaffected, but the Turks have taken
precautionary measures, and the Syrian soldiery are officered mainly by Turks ; they
cannot rebel, but cannot be relied upon as first-class troops. There is a report that
300 machine guns have been sent into Syria from Constantinople. It is also said that
the Turks are repairing the Hejaz Hailway. The latest information comes from a letter
intercepted between Jemal Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. and Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. from Medina, in which Jemal
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. said that regular troops were assembling for the purpose of dealing with the
Sherif; that the first contingent was about to leave Damascus, and that a squadron
of Turkish aeroplanes was leaving Constantinople.
The reported revolt in Syria, which might help to account for such concentration,,
is dealt with elsewhere.
All Haidar, the Turkish nominee for the Caliphate, who was reported near Medina
at the outbreak of the Hejaz revolt, is now said to be in Constantinople.
British Assistance to the Sherif.
As foreshadowed in the last report, the Sheriffs demands have grown, and he
now requires 125,0001. per month to carry on the campaign.
The Sheikh’s son Zaid took the arms and ammunition with him to Mecca on the
30th June, consisting of the mountain batteries, 3,000 rifles, and explosives. The
batteries were manned by Moslem crews. It is not yet possible to send any aeroplanes,
since the Sherif has not yet given assent to Christian pilots ; no Moslems are available.
The Sheikh of Mohsin was due at Jeddah on the 2nd July in place of Zaid. He
is well spoken of. Faruki is going to Cairo at an early date on a special mission from
the Sherif of Mecca to the High Commissioner.
The General Officer Commanding in Egypt, after a long conference with the High
Commissioner, has sent a telegram to the Chief of the Imperial Staff stating that in
his opinion every effort should be made to assist the Sherif in his revolt, in view of
the important bearing that it has upon the future not only of Egypt but of the whole
East.
With regard to the cutting of the railway, the Sherif objects to cutting the railway
presumably north of Ola’au, apparently on the ground that there is a revolt in Syria.
Although the Turks are reported to be rebuilding the railway, the Sherif reports
(on reliable authority) that he captured two trains.
The Sherif s Policy.
The Sherif has been uneasy about the possible fate of his relations in Constantinople,,
and has consequently asked that a message should be transmitted from the American
Embassy in Egypt to Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to the effect that he is keeping the civil and military
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