ملف ١٩١٥/٥٣ الجزء IV "الحرب الألمانية: تركيا؛ الخلافة إلخ" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٤] (٤٨١/٤٠٤)

34
now occupied ly 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 against a suitable sum paid as compensation to
the Arab Kingdom for the period of occupation, in order to meet the expenses
which every new Kingdom is bound to support; at the same time respecting
your agreements with the Sheikhs of those districts, and especially those which
are essential.
(3) In your desire to hasten the movement we see not only advantages but
grounds of apprehension.
The first of these grounds is the fear of the blame of the Moslems of the
opposite party (as has already happened in the past), who would declare that
we have revolted against Islam and ruined its forces. The second is that
standing in the face of Turkey which is supported by all the forces of Germany,
we do not know w r hat Great Britain and the Allies would do if one of the
Entente Powers were weakened and obliged to make peace. We fear that the
Arab nation w r ill then be left alone in the face of Turkey together with her
Allies—hut we vmuld not at all mind if v r e were to face the Turks alone.
Therefore it is necessary to take these points into consideration in order to
avoid a peace being concluded in which the parties concerned may decide the
fate of our people as if we had taken part in the war without making good our
claims to official consideration.
(4) The Arab nation has a strong belief that after this war is over, the
Tu^ks under German influence will direct tbeir efforts to provoke the Arabs
and violate their rights, both material and moral, to wipe out their nobility
and honour and reduce them to utter submission as they are determined to
ruin them entirely. The reason for the slowness shown in our action has already
been stated.
(5) When the Arabs know that the Government of Great Britain is their
Ally wffio will not leave them to themselves at the conclusion of peace in the
face of Turkey and Germany, and that she will support and will effectively
defend them, then to enter the wmr at once will, no doubt, be in conformity
with the general interest of the Arabs.
(6) Our letter dated 29th Shaual 1333 (September 9th, 1915) saves us
the trouble of repeating our opinions as to articles 3 and 4 of your honoured
last letter regarding administration, Government advisers and officials especially
as you have declared, 0 ! Exalted Minister, that you will not interfere with
internal affairs.
(7) The arrival of a clear and definite answer, as soon as possible, to the
above proposals is expected. We have done our utmost in making concessions
in order to come to an agreement satisfying both parties. We know that
our lot in this war will be either a success which will guarantee to the Arabs
a life becoming their past history, or destruction in the attempt to attain their
objects. Had it not been for the determination which I see in the Arabs for
the attainment of their objects I would have preferred to seclude myself on
one of the heights of a mountain but they, the Arabs, have insisted that i
should guide the movement to this end.
May God keep you safe and victorious, as we devoutly hope and desire.
(Unsigned).
Dated 27 el Hijj 1333 (November 5th, 1915).
48
Tcls^r^m No. W., dated the 2«'2nd December 1915.
p rom —The Secretary to tlm Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi,
To-The Hon’ble Lt.-Col. Sir P. Z. Cox, K C.S.I., K.C.I.E, Political Resident m
the Persian Qulf, Basrah.
(Repeated to Major A. P. Trevou, Bushire.)
Please repeat to me substance of political reports from Political Agent at
1 Bahrein such as those contained in ms
»TO;rcu memorandum 6G-C.* of 4th December, so
( r as they relate to Bin Saud or important Arabian affairs.