Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎237r] (473/544)

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LORD CURZON : There would be no objection to this : “ Great Britain, France,
and Italy, as Powers ruling large Moslem populations,” or something to that effect.
LORD ROBERT CECIL: That will do very well.
LORD CU BZON : <£ For the purpose of protecting the interests of their pilgrims.”
LORD ROBER1 CECIL: Will you not say merely “possessing large Moslem
populations.”
LORD CURZON : No. It is because the Moslem populations insist on going on
the pilgrimage to Jeddah and Mecca. If it is merely that they are Moslems, you might
as well say the Straits Settlements ought to join the scheme, because there are so many
Malay Mohammedans ; but they do not go much on pilgrimage, or, at any rate, less than
the Indians.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : By all means put in your words.
LORD CURZON : “There would, however, be no objection to the payment to him
of a joint subsidy by Great Britain, France, and Italy, as Powers ruling large Moslem
populations for protecting the interests of their pilgrims.’'
LORD ROBER 1 CECIL : Ihen add, “ In any case, the King should not suffer
pecu uarily from the result of the war.”
LORD CURZON : No. “ He should not sutler from his change of sovereignty.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL : He will become independent.
LORD CURZON : “ From the change in his position.”
LORD ROBER 1 CECIL : Yes, “ from the change in his political position.”
LORD CURZON : “ (8) The Hejaz should not be called upon to contribute any
annuity to the service of the Public Debt Ottoman Public Debt ” that should be.
SIR LOUIS MALLET : \es. It is a small amount, and anybody could find out
what it was.
LORD CURZON : Now comes the question of arms. “(9) It is hoped by an
international convention to secure the prohibition of the export of arms and ammunition
to all States m Asia Minor and Arabia which do not ask for a European advisory
Power; but in view of its special position, the Hejaz should be excepted from this
prohibition. The Powers should declare that they will not object to the Hejaz
Government importing for its own use a reasonable quantity of arms and ammunition
annu.dlv, piovided that they are not exported or re-sold to private individuals without
licence, and that the Government of the Hejaz adheres to the other terms of the
convention. Great Britain, in view of her special interests in Arabia, should be
entrusted by the League of Nations with the responsibility of seeing that these terms
are carried out.” Then comes No. 10 “ The control and operation of the Hejaz
Railway should be entrusted to a commission consisting of nominees of the King of the
Hejaz, the Syrian State, and the Government of Palestine.”
LORD ROBER l CECIL : I hat is a very detailed point to bring in, and it is
doubtful to me whether that is the right way of dealing with these international
railways.
LORD CURZON : It is rather premature, and we may take out No. 10 and come
back to the question of arms.
MR. MONTAGU : How are we going to prevent it ? I can understand prevent
ing the import of arms, but how can we prevent the selling to private individuals ?
LORD ROBERT CECIL : We cannot. We can get an undertaking that he will
not, and he will break it. That is the way we did with the blockade. WTiat you do is
to ration arms, not allowing him to import an immense quantity, but only what is
reasonably necessary. You make out an estimate and find out what would be reason
able. If he wants to import more, he would have to make out a case for it. I am only
guessing, but I suppose that is the way it would be done. I presume we shall say there
shall be no trade in arms, if we are to be entrusted by the League of Nations.
We shall say that we shall keep a gunboat on the coast, and say no arms shall come in.
[365—43] - ^ q.