ملف ١٩١٥/٥٣ الجزء IV "الحرب الألمانية: تركيا؛ الخلافة إلخ" [و‎‎١‎٩‎٧] (٤٨١/٣٩٠)

20
a,lid the result would theu be quite the reverse. As the matter is of such
vital import affecting our very life and existence, therefore, we insisted on
getting further explanations in regard to these boundaries so that we might first
be able to know what the views of that Government were and thus be sruided in
^ our choice of the lesser of the two evils and the easier course by which to
uphold the integrity of the faith and nationality as was more befitting. Here
is a clear proof of the necessity for desperate measures in seeking the happiness
of attaining the holy object. I refer to the proclamation issued by the
Ottomans and which was based on the Fetwa of their Sheikh of Islam,
authorizing their troops to eat during the month of Kamadan last in the town
of your ancestor (the Prophet) and in his holy presence. This was based
merely on the supposition that they were prepared for the Uhad, while
in fact they were living (quietly). Such an overt act, though but a small thing,
makes further explanation in regard to the nobility of the cause decided upon
unnecessary. They have at least transgressed against God and against your
ancestor and his family. "VYe may be among those believers of whom he said :
“ There are men who acted in accordance -with their holy promise to God—some
of them have and some are still waiting and are making changes.”
This is what we have united to do. May God help us and you to hold to
our word. This is the purport of what you wanted to know and I have only
reproduced it in conformity with your previous request. We ask the co-opera
tion of your great zeal in the cause of protecting the honour of the faith, no
matter what the result of the present war may be, because you also have gieat
moral and material interests to safeguard. Our inclinations, which you wish
to understand, are confined within this circle and I have no doubt, honourable
brother, that you are well aware of this and that I have no ambitions whatever
for great names or titles.
You asked me, my dear friend, may God be with you, to explain to you
what we require. Our first requirements are that God may protect you from
every evil, and give you always strength and good health. I also wish to be
guided by your ideas with regard to our aforementioned friends who have full
control of the country and as to whether they think of any necessity to make
modifications in our demands as to the boundaries that have been described.
If so this will be annoying, particularly to the Arabs, and very likely it will
affect all the Mohammedans and oblige them to meet events, no matter whence
they come, with bravery and determination at the outstart.
They will then become positive that the cause for making such difficulties
is the intention to exterminate the Arabs and destroy their faith and unity. I
do not think in this case that there is any man who does not know that a
General Call (to the jihad) in the ears of the Mahommedan world will differ
from the call of the Ottomans.
The Government to which I am referring could avoid the outcome of the
effect produced by such a state of affairs, especially owing to the presence of a
man like yourself, who allows no reason for blame in the cause of God.
I have very strong and decided hopes that I am only stating in this
sentence what is absolutely true with the greatest sincerity.
The second question is that we shall stand in need of funds partly to be
used for the preliminary expenses and the greater portion to be retained
until the time when with God’s help the whole scheme is taken effectively in
hand. As regards the arms, we have no need of them as this might
cause some unnecessary disturbance and divulge the scheme before it bas
matured. If this, however, were possible there is no objection and we must be
prepared for it. We raise redoubled prayers to God from the depth of our
hearts and with sincerity to defend the law of your ancestor and maintain his
inspiration and his holy tomb.
There is no doubt that God would be our great defender and supporter.
This is the gist of what I wish to inform you and I insist on hoping that
you will keep it very secret and act with the utmost wisdom and quietness. I
am depending on your servant (messenger) and am taking no other steps in my
dealings with our friends except through you. I am confining all cominumca-