Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎204r] (407/544)

Syria.
(E.C.-2716.)
i *
I
Palestine.
(E.C.-2717.)
(b.) Resolution 2 .—For the words “ political predominance ”
substitute “special political position.”
Resolution 3.—From the word “ claims ” to “ Cilicia ” substitute
“ claims to a special political position at Alexandretta.”
. Resolution 6.—After the words “ Syrian question ” add the
following new sentence: “It is accordingly expressly understood
that the enjoyment of a special political position does not carry with
it the right to fortify any of the Syrian ports concerned.”
Resolution 7 to be excised.
Draft Resolution 8 becomes Resolution 7.
Resolution 8.—At the instance of Mr. Balfour, the following
new Besolution was accepted :—
“ In any readjustment in Syria, the claims of Italy should be
taken into account.”
The Resolutions as regards Syria in the form finally adopted
by the Committee were as follows (E.C.-2716 a):—
(1.) It is desirable by negotiation with our Allies to cancel
the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, more 'particularly
those clauses which confer rights upon France in
area A. and in the Syrian portion of the Blue Zone.
(2.) We should support the French claims to a special poli
tical position in the Lebanon and Beirut.
(3.) We should support the French claims to a special poli
tical position at Alexandretta.
(4.) We should support the Amir Feisal and the Syrians in
the creation of an autonomous Arab State, with capital
at Damascus and access to the sea (probably at Tripoli).
(5.) It is desirable that the commercial rights enjoyed by
Great Britain at Alexandretta and by France at Haifa
—in the event of those ports being assigned to France
and Great Britain—should be equally enjoyed by the
Amir Feisal at both ports.
(6.) In accordance with the Anglo-French Declaration of
November, 1918, the principle of self-determination
should be made as far as possible the basis of settle
ment of the Syrian question. It is accordingly ex
pressly understood that the enjoyment of a special
political position does not carry with it the right to
fortify any of the Syrian ports concerned.
CJ.) It is essential that no foreign influence other than that
of Great Britain should be predominant in areas A
and B.
(8.) In any re-adjustment in Syria, the claims of Italy should
be taken into account.
(c.) Resolution 4.—Mr. Balfour said that he wished to record
his doubts as to the wisdom of Resolution 4.
Lord Robert Cecil, on the other hand, thought that Resolution 4,
in its present form, was not sufficiently strongly worded.
Resolution 6.—For the words “ care should be taken ” substitute
“ every effort should be made.”
At the suggestion of Mr. Montagu, the Committee decided—
To adopt the following new general Resolution :—
“ In no circumstances should any claim by Turkey to share
the sovereignty, real or nominal, of any of the States or
territories here dealt with, viz., Mesopotamia, Syria, the
Caucasus, Armenia, Palestine, or Arabia, be admitted.”
The Resolutions as regard® Palestine in the form finally
adopted by the Committee were as follows (E.C.-2717 a):—
(1.) The Committee is opposed to the institution of an inter
national administration in Palestine.