ملف ٧٠٥/١٩١٦ الجزء ١ "انتفاضة عربية - تقارير" [و‎‎٢‎٤‎٨] (٤٩٤/٤٣)

lhat he is now rising, and it is of great importance that you, oh! iny friend, should make a
simultaneous attack. You will see that this to your own advantage for the following reasons : —
“(a.) I he enemy, being^ attacked simultaneously in various places, cannot move troops from
nne to the other, and his position is made more difficult. '
• ^ t ^ !e P re ®® nt moment the attention and the troops of the Turks are entirely engaged
m the Caucasus and Mesopotamia, and they are unable to send reinforcements to their local forces,
who can therefore most easily be dealt with. In short, if you cannot now throw off the Turkish
yoke, it is time, oh . mj friend, to lay down your arms and cease from all pretence of finhtina;,
because such an opportunity may never again occur.
? ( c ‘) ^.7 rising at this time, you will gain the goodwill of the British Government, who will
certainly not forget your conduct at the present time of trial.
‘You, oh my friend, are a friendly sea-power, and our mutual interests are concerned in this
matter.
In the second case, if the Imam cannot move on account of his agreement, it is well
known that his tribesmen aie not equally bound. If we make it profitable for them to join in
this rising,^ they will hereafter be attached to your cause, and will thus strengthen your position
when the lurks are finally disposed of. If you will kindly communicate your financial requirements
in this respect, I have no doubt that the matter can be arranged,
“ In the third case, you will realise that friendship arises from common aims and common
interests; and if the aims and interests of the Sheriff are now in harmony with yours, that the
memory of bye-gone feuds may profitably be abandoned.
“ On all sides I hear reports that your Minister, Ba Sahi, is acting for his personal and
pecuniary interests, rather than for the advantage of your Excellency and your State. I do not
know whether this report is true or not. But I feel sure that, if he is such as he is reported to
be, he will give the same advice as he would give were he, as I hope he is, a true servant of the
State, viz., he will advise at this time that a combined attack against the Turks is to your profit,
since he must be well aware that his pecuniary interests would suffer equally with that of the
State but for the indulgence granted to Djezan—traffic and commerce.
“ Moreover, it will be a satisfaction to all Arabs when the present necessity for sea blockade
is removed. The Sheriff has asked for the co-operation of your forces, and I hear that you have
sent him no reply. Now is the time to move. Now is the time to secure the expulsion of a
harsh and tyrannical intruder who masquerades under the title of Moslem, and appeals to religious
prejudices in order to obtain his worldly desires.
“ I have reports that your Excellency’s troops are blocking the road from Hejaz to the Temen,
and congratulate you on this success and on your past action in opposing the Turks single-
handed.
“ I feel confident that, by means of timely action and strong measures against those who are
opposed to your interests, your Excellency will seize the present opportunity to consolidate your
State and extend your dominions.
“ I am sending this letter by the hand of Captain Turton, R.N., and request you will receive
him with due honour, and confide to him fully your views on the present situation. Should you
decide to attack Loheiya, he will arrange to assist you in the attack by fire from the ships.
“(Signed) W. C. Walton, Brigadier-General,
“ Political Resident, Aden."
(Secret.)
No. C-542. Aden Residency, June 8, 1916.
“ Copy forwarded, with compliments, to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for India, London.
“ (Signed) W. C. Walton, Brigadier-General,
u Political Resident, Aden.”
At the end of June the Idrisi announced his intention of beginning an attack upon
a fixed date. He gave a written assurance to Commander Turton that on or about the
10th July he would attack Comfida and Mabail. He asserted that the general mobilisa
tion of his forces was completed on the 29th June. He has written a friendly letter to
the Sherif, to be forwarded through Aden. He has also seduced the Hashid and Bakil
tribes from their allegiance from the Imam of Yemen; but they will only be called upon
if required and subsidised by us.
The Idriei’s present military position is summarised in the telegram printed
below:—
[From Chief of the Imperial General Staff to Commander-in-Chief, India.]
[July 3, 1916, 7.25 P.M.]
a [The ‘Idrisi’ has a miscellaneous collection of about 35 Turkish and Italian guns. Aden,
through the India Office, is pressing for a supply of ammunition, which it is impossible to obtain.
Advise replacing ‘ Idrisi’s’ guns by 15 pounders, and also by 5-inch howitzers, if he could usefully
employ them. Egypt is authorised to place at your disposal for the ‘ Idrisi ’ any of the above
guns and ammunition which are available. A few instructors are necessary; perhaps Egypt could
help, or Turkish-trained Arab gunners might be utilised.] ”