File 2182/1913 Pt 10 'N.W. Frontier: Proposed Russian zoological expedition' [‎263v] (118/664)

Up to the present moment I am myself, with all my might, carrying out in my
country all thino-s in conformity with the Islamic law all things which tend to benefit
the rest of the kingdom, and I shall continue to do so until it pleases God to order
otherwise •
In order to reassure vour Excellency, I can declare that the whole cc ^ry,
together with those who you say are submitting themselves to Turco-German orders,
are all waiting the result of these negotiations, which are dependent onlj' on your
refusal or acceptance the question of the limits, and in your declaration of safe-
guarding their religion first and then the rest of rights from any harm or danger.
Whatever the illustrious Government of Great Britain finds conformable to its
policy in this subject communicate it to us and specify to us the course we should
In all cases it is only God 5 s will which shall be executed, and it is God who is
the real factor in everything. _ _
With re ard o our demand for grain for the natives and the monies (surras)
known to the Wakfs Ministry, and all other articles sent here with pilgrims’ caravan,
0 High Exc llency, my intention in this matter is to confirm your proclamations to the
whole world, and especially to the Moslem world, that your antagonism is confined
only to the party which has usurped the rights of the Caliphate, in which are included
the rights of all Moslems. # ^ i .
Moreover, the said gram is from the special Whkfs, and has notning to do with
politics. . ,
if you think it should be, let the grain of the two years be transported in a special
steamer to Jeddah in an official manner, in the name of all the natives as usual, and
the captain of the steamer or the special “ Mamur ’ detailed as usual every year to
hand it over on his arrival at the port, will send to the Governor of Jeddah asking for
the Mamur of the grain at Jeddah, or a responsible official to take over the grain, amd
give the necessary receipt signed by the said Mamur, that is, the Mamur of the
gram himself. He should make it a condition that he would accept any receipt but
that signed by this Mamur.
Let the captain of the steamer or the “ Mamur” (detailed with the grain) should
be instructed that if he finds anything contrary to this arrangement, he should warn
them that he will return home with the cargo. Thereupon the Mamur and the special
committee detailed with him, which is known as the committee of the grain for the
natives, will take over the grain in the proper form.
Please accept my best regards and salutations.
If you choose to send a reply to this, please send it with bearer.
29t/z Shawal, 1333 [September 9, 1915].
(4-)
Letter from Sir H. McMahon, His Majesty's High Commissioner, Cairo, to the Sherif of
Mecca, dated October 25, 1915.
To the Sherif of Mecca (with titles).
October 25, 1915.
I HAVE received your letter of 29th Shawal with much pleasure, and your
expressions of friendliness and sincerity have given me the greatest satisfaction.
I regret that you should have received from my last letter the impression that I
regarded the question of the limits and boundaries with coldness and hesitation ;
such was not the case, hut it appeared to me that the moment had not yet arrived when
they could he most profitably discussed.
I have realised, however, from your last letter that you regard this question as
one of vital and urgent importance. I have therefore lost no time in informing the
Government of Great Britain of the contents of your letter, and it is with great
pleasure that I communicate to you on their behalf the following statement, which I
am confident you will receive with satisfaction.
The districts of Mersina and Alexandretta and portions of Syria lying to the west
of the districts of Damascus, Hama, Homs, and Aleppo cannot be said to be purely
Arab, and should be excluded from the proposed limits and boundaries. *
*