Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎91v] (186/380)

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on the principle of self-determination that the Agreement will best be avoided, and it is
essential that in any Conference which may be assembled to consider the affairs of
Syria, the Arabs should be represented equally with the Americans, British, French and
Italians.
F.—If this principle of self-determination is adopted it is probable that a settlement
could be reached on the following lines :—
(i.) The northern boundary of Sinai to pass just north of Gaza and Beersheba to
the southern end of the Dead Sea.
(ii.) Palestine, under a Jewish-Arab Administration, but subject to British
protection, to extend from the Northern boundary of Sinai (as in (i.)) to the
Litani, and to be bounded on the east by the eastern edge of the Jordan
Valley between the Yermuk Valley and the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. el Hesa.
(iii.) Haifa to become a British Naval Base.
(iv.) France to be given the control of the non-Arab area north of the Litani, west
of the crest of the Lebanon, and south of a line joining the north end of the
Lebanon with a point on the coast just south of Tripoli, as well as the
district about Alexandretta, from Arsus (exclusive) to Bayas (inclusive)
with the hinterland as far as the crest of the Amanus.
(v.) The Arabs to have all the remainder of the Arab speaking parts of Syria,
together with the coast line from Tripoli to Arsus, both inclusive, the
eastern boundary of Syria to run southwards along the right bank of the
Euphrates, as far as its confluences with the Kharbur. hinder the principle
of self-determination it is almost certain that Great Britain would be given
the controlling voice in the Arab area, this area should be under the rule of
Feisal.
(vi.) The Armenians to be given the Cilician Plain with the coast line from Bayas
(exclusive) to Mersina (inclusive). The western boundary might run from
west of the latter port to the west of Hajjin and the extent of the territory
would be dependent on the number of Armenians that could be collected in
it. Some transference of population would be essential here, and probably
elsewhere as well.
(vii.) A separate Arab State, but also under British influence, to be constituted in
the Arab-speaking districts of Jezireh, that is in area bounded on the west
by the Euphrates from above Birijik to the mouth of the Kharbur, and
thence eastwards to the right bank of the Tigris, and including Jebel
Sinjar. Sherif Zeid would be a suitable ruler.
(viii.) Irak, from north of Mosul to the Gulf, to form a separate Arab State, with
capital at Baghdad and under direct British administration. Sherif
Abdullah might be made the ruler. If British rule were firmly established
behind this Arab-fagade there would be no reason to discriminate between
the Basra-Qurna area and the remainder of Mesopotamia.
(ix.) No foreign Power other than Great Britain should be allowed any voice in the
country south of the dotted line on the map accompanying the Sykes-Pic »t
Agreement.
G. —It should be noted that there is a great difference in Arab sentiment regarding
Syria and Mesopotamia. The Arabs are determined that in the former a purely Arab
administration is to be established, and that they will not tolerate any foreign advisres
or employees other than salaried servants of the Arab State. In Mesopotamia, however,
they recognize the British right of conquest, and would acquiesce in a British
protectorate. While, therefore, it would be permissible to have a British Resident in
Baghdad, it would be only proper to maintain a British Minister in Damascus. At the
same time the Syrian State should be united by close ties with Great Britain. Feisal
is about to raise a force of 8,500 gendarmes of whom half are to be mounted, and a
standing army of two brigades for the purpose of policing Syria and of preventing any
revulsion of feeling against himself and King Hussein when peace comes. It is
essential that these forces should be equipped by the British, as all Shereefian troops
have hitherto been, and not by the French, and Feisal should be granted by Great
Britain such financial assistance as he may need.
H. —It must be remembered that it will be possible to raise an army of some 300,000
men in Syria. If the Government of that country is friendly to Great Britain it will
be necessary to retain a far smaller British garrison in Egypt than if the Syrian
administration is under French influence, and consequently a lesser drain will be
imposed on the resources of the Empire.