'Correspondence with the Grand Sherif of Mecca' [‎8v] (16/16)

16
vA
The remainder will be collected as quickly as possible, and will be
deposited at Port Sudan, where it will remain until we hear from you
othcially of the beginning of the movement and of the places to which they
may be conveyed, and the intermediaries who will carry out the orders for
receiving them.
The necessary instructions, as set forth in your letter, have been issued
to the Governor at Port Sudan, and he will arrange everything in accordance
with your wishes.
Your representative who brought your last letter has been duly facilitated
in his journey to Jeizan, and every assistance has been given him in his
mission, which we trust will be crowned with good results.
We have arranged that, on completion, he will be brought to Port Sudan,
whence he will proceed by safest means to join you, and report the results
of his work.
We take the opportunity, in sending this letter, to explain to you a
matter which otherwise might not have been clear to you, and which might
have given rise to misunderstanding. There arc various Turkish posts and
small garrisons along the coasts of Arabia who are hostile to us, and who
are said to be planning injury to cur naval interests in the Red Sea. We
may, therefore, iind it necessary to take hostile measures against these posts
and garrisons, but we have issued strict instructions that every care must
be taken by our ships to differentiate between the hostile Turkish garrisons
and the innocent Arab inhabitants, towards whom we entertain such
friendly feelings.
We give you notice of this matter in case distorted and false reports may
11^5 reach you of the reasons for any action which we may be obliged to take.
We have heard rumours that our mutual enemies are endeavouring to
/ construct boats for the purpose of laying mines in the Red Sea, and of other-
7 wise injuring our interests there, and we beg of you that you will give us
early information should you receive any confirmation of such reports.
We have heard that Ibn Rashid lias been selling large quantities of
camels to the Turks, which are being sent up to Damascus.
We hope that you will be able to use your influence with him in order
that he may cease this practice, and, if he still persists, that you will be
able to arrange for the Arabs who lie between him and Syria to seize the
camels as they pass—a procedure which will be to our mutual advantage.
I am glad to be able to inform you that those misguided Arabs under
Sayed Ahmed el Senussi, who have fallen victims to the wiles of Turkish
and German intriguers, are now beginning to stetlie error of their ways and
are coming in to us in large numbers, asking for forgiveness and friendship.
We have severely defeated the forces which these intriguers had collected
against us, and the eyes of the Arabs are now becoming open to the deceit
which has been practised upon them.
The capture of Erzerum and the defeats sustained by the Turks in the
Caucasus are having a great effect in our favour, and are greatly helping
the cause for which we are both working.
We ask God to prosper your endeavours and to further the work which
you have taken in hand.
In conclusion, we beg you to accept our warmest salutations and
expressions of friendship.
(Signed) A. II. McMahox.
6 J am a d A w w a 1 I • > 34.
10th March 1916.)