Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎85v] (170/544)

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APPENDIX.
E.C.-1028.
I CIRCULATE to my colleagues a Minute and three drafts by Sir Mark Sykes
with which I agree.
ROBERT CECIL.
August 3, 1918.
Memorandum by Sir M. Sykes.
I think that the order of procedure to clear up the French-Syrian question should
be as follows :—
1 . The French ask us what is to be the French position in Syria in the event of
occupation, to which we should reply as Draft (A).
2. The French then ask us what will be the position of the French in regard to
political relations with native elements permanently resident in that part of Syria stiUJ
in Turkish occupation, to which we should reply as Draft (B). )
We must, however, insert a proviso in both these replies to the effect that thP
policy of the French Mission shall be in accordance with the spirit of the proposed
joint declaration to the Xing of Hedjaz (see Draft (C)).
3. We then arrange to present the joint declaration to the King of the Hedjaz
(Draft (C)).
MARK SYKES.
August 3, 1918.
Draft (A).
In the event of the occupation by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force of Syrian
areas which are of special interest to France, the General Officer Commanding
Egyptian Expeditionary Force will, with due regard to military considerations, and,
subject to the supreme authority of the C.I.C., recognise the Chief of the
French Mission attached to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as his adviser on
matters pertaining to any administration of a civil character which it may be necessary
to set up in such areas, and will rely on the Chief of the French Mission to provide the
administrative personnel for the purpose of carrying on the administration.
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Draft (B).
In the event of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force occupying Syrian areas of
special interest to France, the C.I.C. Egyptian Expeditionary Force will recognise the |
Chief of the French Mission as his direct political adviser in regard to any negotiation:*
which it may be necessary to enter into with the native elements permanentlyj
inhabiting Syrian areas of special interest to France but still in Turkish occupation*
Subject to the C.I.C.’s supreme authority, the head of the French Mission will organise
and control the machinery whereby such negotiations are to be carried out.
Draft (C).
Declaration to the King of Hedjaz.
The Governments of Great Britain and France desire jointly to inform the
Government of Hedjaz that their policy in regard to the Arabic-speaking peoples of
Arabia, Syria, Jazirah, and Irak is as follows :—
1 . The two Governments desire to make it clear to the Government of Hedjaz and
to the Arabic-speaking peoples in the above-mentioned regions, that on the part of
neither Government has there ever been any intention of disposing of them, nor
allowing them to be disposed of by any other party, in any way other than is desired
by the populations thereof.
2. The two Governments further wish to make it clear that they desire to facilitate
to the utmost co-operation, alliance, and unity of purpose among the various elements
of the Arabic-speaking peoples in the above-mentioned regions with a view to the
ultimate restoration of the liberty and prosperity which these areas formerly enjoyed.