Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎65r] (133/380)

II.—Pledges to King Husaia.
7. I lie Sherif of Mecca s territorial demands, as formulated by him
during his negotiations with the liigli Commissioner for Egypt (Sir Henry
MacMahon) in the latter part of 1917) were as follows : —
England to acknowledge the independence of the Arab countries,
bounded on the north by Mersina-Adana up to the d7° of latitude, on
which degree falls Birijik, Urfa, Mardin, Midiat, A madia Island,’up
to the border of Persia; on the east by the borders of Persia up to
the Gulf of Basra-; on the south by the Indian Ocean, with the
exception of the position of Aden to remain as it is ; on the west bv
the Bed Sea, the Mediterranean Sea up to Mersina.”
(S. 1 he area so defined includes the whole of Mesopotamia and Irak.
Replying on the 24th October 1915, Sir H. MacMahon informed the Sherif
that, subject^ to certain modifications (not affecting Mesopotamia), Great
Britain was “ prepared to recognise and support the independence of the
Arabs within the territories included in the limits and boundaries proposed.”
W ith regard to Mesopotamia he put in the following caveat :—
“ With regard to the vilayets of Baghdad and Basra, the Arabs will
recognise.that the established position and interests of Great Britain
necessitate special measures of administrative control in order to
secure these territories from foreign aggression, to promote the
welfare of the local populations and to safeguard our mutual economic
interests.”
9. The Sherif replied (5th November 1915) : —
As the 1 rovinces of Irak are parts of the pure Aral) Ivingdom and were
in fact the seat of its Governments in the time of Ali Ibn Abu Talib,
and in the time of all Caliphs who succeeded him; and as in them
began the civilisation of the Arabs, and as their towns in those
provinces were the first towns built in Islam where the Arab power
became so great; therefore these provinces are greatly valued by all
Arabs far and near, and their traditions cannot be forgotten by them.
Consequently, we cannot satisfy the Arab nations or make them
submit to give up such a title to nobility. But in order to render an
accord easy, and taking into consideration the assurances mentioned
in the fifth article of your letter, to keep and guard our mutual
interests in that country as they are one and the same, for all these
reasons we might agree to leave under the British Administration for
a short time those districts now occupied by the British troops,
without the rights of either party being prejudiced thereby (especially
those of the Arab nation, which interests are to it economic and vital)
and again.st a suitable sum paid as compensation to the Arab Kingdom
for the period ol occupation, in order to meet the expenses which
every new kingdom is bound to support, at the same time respecting
your agreements w ith the Sheikhs of those districts, and especially
those which are essential.”
10. The Sherif’s proposal wms never formally accepted. Sir H. MacMahon
merely replied (17th December 1915) :—
“ The. C lovernment of Great Britain, as I have already informed you, are
ready to give all guarantees of assistance and support within their
power to the Arab Kingdom, but their interests demand, as you
yourself have recognised, a friendly and stable administration in the
vilayet of Baghdad, and the adequate safeguarding of these interests
calls for a much fuller and more detailed consideration than the
present situation and the urgency of these negotiations permits.”
11. The Sherif’s reply (1st January 1916) purported to be an acceptance
of Sir II. MacMahon’s view, but he was careful not to let the question of