Miscellaneous correspondence, reports, maps and other papers concerning the Middle East [‎46r] (92/220)

—
. f T4is Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
EASTERN. L October 30.j
a) N FIDENTIAL Section 2.
[172714J No. 1.
Mr. Balfour to the Marquis hnperiali.
Your Excellency, Foreign Office, October 30, 1918.
WITH reference to the note which Prince Borghene was good enough to address
to me on the 11th October, informing me of the concurrence of the Italian Government
in the terms of the draft of the modus vivendi which it was proposed to conclude with
the French Government for the conduct of our relations with the Arabs in certain
districts, I have the honour to state that His Majesty’s Government have now informed
the French Government that they are prepared to accept the arrangement contemplated
in the draft upon the understanding that it is to be treated solely as providing for the
situation caused by the recent advance of General Allen by’s force into Syria, and is to
be deemed to refer only to the territories occupied, or to be occupied, by that force.
At the same time His Majesty’s Government have intimated that, with regard to the
future government of the other territories mentioned in the Anglo-French Convention
of 1916, the general position has so much changed since that Agreement was entered
into that its provisions no longer appear suitable to present conditions. Not only has
the military position in Mesopotamia, Palestine and Syria completely altered, but two
political changes of vast importance have taken place. The United States have come
into the war and Russia has gone out. It is manifest on the one hand that America
must have a voice in any settlement of the future of these countries, and on the other
that the arrangements contemplated for the north-eastern part of Armenia have been
completely upset by the collapse of Russia. His Majesty’s Government feel that any
settlement of these points must form the subject of fresh conversations in which the
Governments of Italy and the United States, as well as the French and British Govern
ments, should be invited to take part.
2. I have every reason to believe that the French Government accept this view of
the situation.
3. 1 have the honour to express the hope that when the moment arrives the Italian
Government on their part will be willing to join in such discussion. It is of course un
necessary to say that there is no intention by initiating such a discussion to call in
question the validity of the Treaty of London 1915, which remains in full force and
effect. In the meanwhile the Frencli and British Governments propose to issue a
declaration in the terms annexed.*
1 have, &c.
(For the Secretary of State),
ROBERT CECIL.
[2827 gg—2]
* Printed separately.