File 3579/1916 'Turkey: the future of Constantinople' [‎121r] (250/530)

IS
liave staked everything on the result of the present war ” The District Magis
trate, Ludhiana—also a Muhammadan—reports “From what I have been
able to gather so far, I find that Mussalmans, although not elated at the
prospect, will be reconciled to the inevitable »; thougli he goes on to say that
the wisdom ot the step, in making Russia so powerful, is doubted in intelligent
quarters. Ibis in the Lieutenant-Governor’s opinion represents the general
view ot Muhammadans who take an interest in the political situation From
two districts it is reported that the news excites the less interest for the reason
that it is dependent on the collapse of Turkey, an achievement which has
still to be effected. And there is a general belief that Turkey is still playing
a great part in the war. r ^ o
The attitude of the people is everywhere reported to be good. The
Deputy Commissioner, Lahore, reports that the German offer of peace has borne
to the people greater conviction as to the ultimate result of the war than
anything which has gone before. The high prices prevailing are a matter of
more serious concern than the events in Europe. It is considered that they
are due to the war; and the people, in consequence, long for peace.
Enclosure No. 21.
Extract from a letter from Vie Chief Commissioner, Delhi, No. 13 {Home),
dated the 3rd January 1917.
1. Steps have, as requested by the Government of India, been taken
to prepare Muhammadan opinion for a declaration as to the intention
of the Allies in regard to Constantinople. The matter has not aroused
particular attention, and there have even been opinions expressed that
Constantinople seems in no particular danger of capture. It is unlikely that
when the declaration becomes public property it will attract increased notice.
» * * * * * * m
Enclosure No. 22.
Extract from a letter from the Government of Madras From 1684-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Madras [Chennai] and southern India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. , No. 105-W. dated
the 17th January 1917.
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3. The newspaper references to the agreement with respect to Constanti
nople have not created any stir amongst Muhammadans. The apparent indiffer
ence with which this community has received the news may be ascribed to a
popular belief that Turkey is going to win in the end and that the terms of the
agreement are never likely to be enforced. The announcement would have
provoked more comment, if, at the time that it was made, Turkey had been in
more imminent danger of defeat and disruption, for the idea that the defeat of |
Turkey means the fall of Islam has of late been sedulously disseminated
among Muhammadans in this Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. by an emissary from "the Nadwar-ul-
Ulema (assembly of learned men) of Aligarh. This emissary, who is known
at the Moulvi Shamlavi, has gone back to North India to recruit his health
but is expected to return this month for a preaching tour in which he will be
assisted by Muhammadans possessing a knowledge of Tamil. He will be care
fully watched. Only one objectionable newspaper comment on the Constanti- 1
nople agreement has been noticed, this appeared in the issue of the New India,
dated the 6th January 1917, in the shape of a paragraph sneering at the action
of the Allies in granting to Russia a position on the Dardanelles desired for
“more than a hundred years,” which Great Britain had hitherto “stoutly
refused to concede at every crisis” in consequence of her policy of “fighting
for the principle of nationalities, small or great”. Those ardent souls who
believed that this principle would save Turkish independence were evidently