ملف ٧٠٥/١٩١٦ الجزء ٢ "انتفاضة عربية: التقارير العربية؛ تقارير السير م. سايكس" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٨] (٤٥٠/٣٧٤)

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that
garrison, and if the extension of time were refused he should join the Turks, and at
once commence hostilities against the Sherif. This was on the 8th August. Two days
later the commander of the “ Northbrook ” informed the S.N.O. that as the evacuation
depended on a satisfactory interview with the Sherifs representative Idrisi would
certainly refuse to guarantee its being done by the 28th August ; he meant business,
and the evacuation of Comfida without his orders would precipitate a crisis. The
commander of the ^ Suva telegraphed on the same day that the garrison would not
leave without Idrisi’s written order, and that reinforcements were said to be on their
way. Eventually Idrisi wrote to the commander of the Northbrook,” admitting that
hostilities against the Sherif would be opposed to the general interests, and agreeing to
withdraw the garrison provided that appearances could be saved with the tribes. H >
urged the importance of his meeting a representative of the Sherif, as this would enable
him to explain that the withdrawal was not compulsory, but a matter of policy; other
wise the tribes might go over to the enemy.
Colonel Wilson advised the Sheri! to send someone to discuss matters with Idrisi,
at the same time informing him that it had been decided that the garrison should leave,
and that twenty days or thereabouts should be given for the making of the necessary
arrangements. The Sherif agreed to send a representative, and said that he placed
his interests entirely in our hands.
feir H. IVfcMahon expressed the opinion that we were bound to support the
Sherif, whilst making things as easy as possible for Idrisi, whose claim to Comfida was
very weak.
The Sherif s Operations.
General Clayton telegraphed on the 12th and 13th August [LG. 1155 and 1177]
(1.) An Egyptian battery had silenced the fort at Taif, and cleared most of the
barracks.
(2.) Faisul reported from Medina that the morale of the Arabs had been restored
by the arrival of the rifles and supplies to such an extent that he contem
plated a renewal of the attack on the town.
(3.) The Turks had sent Arab troops from Medina back to Syria as unreliable,
and had leplaced them by a smaller number of Turks drawn from all units
m Syria.
(4.) Shaykh Ghanb had taken Um Lejj for the Sherif, and had reported that all
. . of Juhema tribe were ready to join in as soon as they had arms.
\ nm as ^ e T for an aeroplane or seaplane demonstration at i ambo.
(6.) I he moral effect of the Sheriffs action in Syria seemed to have been very great
and most harmful to the prestige of the Turks.
(7.) Colonel Wilson hoped that action would be taken as soon as possible against
the railway, as it was of the greatest importance.
(8.) The Turks,_ advancing somewhere, seemed to have been met on the 3rd August
.)} Shenf Ali [son of the Sherif of Mecca], who, in a running fight of
twenty-eight hours, took an officer, some men, mules, and arms, and stated
that the Turks lost heavily. He led part of the Turkish force into the
desert, where it seems to be surrounded, and'to be without food or water.
rxr o! en §! a g® ment > Sir H. McMahon telegraphed on the 13th August
fM 089 t ^ t J^ he S ^ ri f °f Yambo had asked him to transmit the news to the Sherif
11 ■ " c ''Ialion notes that whilst the news is encouraging, it shows that
the Medina garrison is operating outside of Medina, and that it is necessary to do
whatever can be done to encourage the Arab tribes into more energetic offensive ; the
ea est, most eflective and, in the end, cheapest way of doing this would be a demons-
ia ion rom Akaba against the railway. General Murray’s latest information, he adds
shows that Ababa has been more strongly fortified than was anticipated. In his
1 tk A i°k 6 j ' Au g ust ’ General Clayton said that the latest information in regard
to the Akaba garrison pointed to its consisting of about 150 men.
The Sherif s Subsidy.
forwaWE-iff A g “ St i Colonel Wilson inf °™ed Sir H. McMahon that he had not
1 , ‘ ,. r’ Anf 1 S eU ! Jr „ t0 ti,e Skerif informing him that he would be given a
subsidy of 125,0001. a month for four months.