File 705/1916 Pt 1 'Arab revolt: reports' [‎247v] (42/494)

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prisoners who have fallen into his hands, and m order to guarantee the good tieatment
of his brother Sherif Nasir Ibn Adi and the rest of his house who are now in Egypt.
He says that if any harm befall them, like punishment will fall upon the prisoners in
his hands. . . .
The Sherif has been impressed with the importance of being judicious m his handling f
of the Holy Pilgrimage. He has produced a manifesto to the world, but a copy has not
yet been received here.
P.S.—At the moment of going to press the following telegram was received :—
“ Sherif s first desire politically is Allied recognition; his object militarily is to collect as many
Arab officers and men as possible from the camp of our prisoners of war; he hoped with this
stiffening of trained troops to get together a regular army Hejaz Arabs of about 80,000 men. As
soon as situation allows the'intention is to invade Syria; meanwhile Sherif relies on British
Government to keep the irregular Arab bands now operating against the lurks fully supplied.
According to Faruki, his suzerainty accepted by both Imam and Idrisi. He wants ilahmal to be
at Jeddah usual time.”
Following from Cornwallis, at Jeddah :—
“ Public security being well maintained, there having been only one case of looting ; but
merchants with whom I have talked had hoped for some form of British control. Great need of
organisation in Jeddah town; doctor badly required ; sanitary arrangements hopeless.
“ It was impossible to land battery at’Rabej owing to Arab hostile attitude : Wilson ordered
return to Jeddah, where they arrive to-night. Trouble was chiefly due to Sherif neglecting to
warn Arabs of their approach and Arab dislike of Egyptians. This morning we spoke to Sherif
on telephone, arranging for battery supplies, &c., to be landed at Jeddah.” (Ends.)
About 5th July Cornwallis returns to Suez with Faruki and Jamil.
SYPIA.
So far as can be ascertained there are indications of widespread unrest in Syria, due
probably to racial excitement, shortage of food, and growing fear of Turkish and
German oppression. The only facts that can be ascertained are that there has been
fighting in the Hauran and that there is a famine in Lebanon, but persistent reports
from Mecca, Berue, and Alexandria, based it is true on rumours point to a something
approaching, either organised rebellion or a breakdown of administration.
The latest news of enemy dispositions in Syria is contained in the following
telegram
“ From General Officer Commanding Force £ D ’ to the Director of Military Intelligence.
“ (Repeated to India and Egypt.)
“ LG. 3117. “ June 28, 191(5,
<£ An agent reports that large numbers of troops are camped at Damascus, but only including
four battalions and one cavalry regiment of properly trained troops. The remainder were all raw
recruits, drafts of whom are constantly arriving from Beirut, Homs, Hama, &c., and are sent off
to the Egyptian front after a little training. At Aleppo there were some Mosul troops, but only
three trained battalions. Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is commanding there. Some drafts from Aleppo are sent
to Damascus, but the majority to Rasulain where large concentration is said to be taking place.
Agent heard that an Army Corps accompanied Enver as far as Rasulain when he was on his way
to Baghdad, and this may refer to the 9th Division, and the one following it. The agent is
considered to be fairly reliable. He states that at Hail and all along the route thence to Damascus
he heard that Damascus was bristling with troops, guns, and aeroplanes, but on arrival there he
found no guns and no aeroplanes nor any troops in excess of those quoted above.”
A8IB.
The following letter was sent to the Idrisi by Aden on the 8th June
“ To Saiyid Muhammad-bin-Ali-bin-Muhammad-bin-Akmed-bin-Idris.
C-541.
“After greetings, “Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , 8th June, 1916.
“ 1 acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your Excellency’s letter, in which you say that
the bheriff is not able to move against the common enemy because the latter has too many troops,
and the Imam cannot move on account of his agreement and the profit derived therefrom.
“You say that these two were formerly your friends, but have since only been friendly to
your enemy the Turks. In the first case I must tell you that I have received information,
considered reliable, that your Excellency ia mistaken in thinking that the Sheriff will not rise.