Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎41v] (82/544)

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Sir Mark Sykes thought it desirable that the matter should bo
based on national and not pan-islamic lines.
Mr. Montagu said he disapproved of pan-Islam ism, but he
deprecated doing anything which might give a handle to our
enemies.
General Smuts agreed.
Mr. Balfour thought that if we were unconsciously indulging in
pan-Islamic propaganda we ought to stop it at once. But would a
pronouncement of religious toleration help us?
Sir Mark Sykes thought it might he better to mark the
telegram “ verv confidential,” and say that it was for the use of the
High Commissioner and his chief subordinates only.
Mr. Balfour said he understood it was intended as a counter
blast to some policy which was being pursued in Egypt.
The Chairman explained that Colonel Jacob, a prominent officer
of the Arab Bureau, who was immediately under the High (com
missioner, had written a paper of the policy advocated, of which we
disapproved, and Sir Mark Sykes had recommended that we should
inform Sir It. Wingate accordingly.
Sir Mark Sykes said that it was necessary to correct a wrong
impression in Egypt, where they wished to run King Hussein for
the Khalifate.
Mr. Montagu said that, on this latter point, Sir R. Wingate
was perfectly sound and absolutely opposed to it.
Sir Mark Sykes said that it would create mischief in India. It
seemed clear that Colonel Jacob had some idea of making friends
with the Turks. He himself only wished to see our policy there
put on a proper basis, that is to say, not a religious but a national
basis.
Mr. Balfour said he strongly deprecated setting out on paper
our policy towards the Turks, the Turanians, the Arabs, Ac.
The Committee decided —
(a.) That a communication to Sir R. Wingate should he made
in the form of a private letter;
(b.) That the letter, which would he sent by the Foreign Office,
should be drawn up, on the general lines suggested by
Sir Mark Sykes, by the Foreign Office in consultation
with the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ;
(c.) That the draft of the letter should be sent to the Chairman
before despatch.
Baku and the
Caucasus.
3. The Chairman said that the Committee’s instructions to
Mr. McDonnell had been to try and get hold of the Caspian fleet,
which Mr. McDonnell had seemed confident he could do, or to
destroy it. General Marshall had now forwarded the views of Colonel
Jack (E.C.-569), who was at present at Baghdad. Colonel Jack had
been over the Roumanian oil-fields and also had local knowledge of
the oil-fields near Baku. Colonel Jack stated that the destruction of
the oil-fields would cost about a hundred million pounds sterling on
the basis of Roumanian claims; it would mean the shutting down of
many industries and thereby create an effective base for hostile
propaganda; stocks at Baku exceeded a million and a half tons, and
could only be destroyed by agreement with the Bolsheviks and the
Armenians, and would cause the livelihood of the inhabitants to cease.
Colonel Jack thought, however, it would be possible to destroy the
pumps and pipe-lines. In forwarding this information, General
Marshall asked whether he could authorise compensation to be offered
to the owners for losses sustained. General Marshall also said that he
had no further information as to whether McDonnell had been able
to send any shipping to Enzeli, but that on the 15th June, McDonnell