![‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’ [‎100v] (2/14)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00024a/IOR_L_PS_18_B217_0002.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’ [‎100v] (2/14)")
‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’ [100v] (2/14)
The record is made up of 1 file (7 folios). It was created in 1915. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2
by regular officers, and are perhaps more accustomed to maiiu'iu w i I mh i I m
newly raised divisions of British and Colonial troops, which must be of
better individual quality but perhaps collectively less mobile.
I should also like to reinforce what I have said on the general political
situation, with regard to the necessity of co-operation and co-ordination as
regards our various theatres in the hast; and also ol urging the importance
of a clear understanding among the Entente Powers, which would enable
available troops to be used at available points. 11 my tour lias impressed
me with one thing above another, it is the advantage which our enemy gains
by using every available local asset as a part oi one harmonious scheme.
1 should also take this opportunity of saying that no matter how dark
things may look, we must never forget that Turkey is undoubtedly getting
exhausted in men, and that the poverty and distress in the provincial
capitals of Syria and Mesopotamia is always an advantage to us, the advent
of Entente troops meaning trade and paymeni in lieu of requisition and
extortion.
In conclusion I mention that I saw the Resident at Aden and Colonel
Jacob. 1 believe that the commandant of the Turkish forces outside Aden
might not be beyond the reach of financial influence ; he is isolated and
cannot attack us, and doubtless dare not retire for fear of punishment; his
Turkish soldiers are also deserting to us pretty freely, about '29 Anatolian
Turks and 3 Syrians having come in in the last three weeks.
Director of Military Operations,
War Office, Whitehall, S.W.
Major-General C. E. Callwell,
C.B., &c., <^c..
1 have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your obedient servant.
M. Svkes.
About this item
- Content
Secret memorandum, prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes. The report is preceded by a letter from Sykes to Major-General Charles Edward Callwell, Director of Military Operations, War Office, London, dated 15 November 1915, which includes Sykes’s opinion on the occupation of Ahwaz, and an assessment of the Turkish forces outside Aden.
The memorandum, dated 28 October 1915, is divided into the following sections:
- (i) military situation in Mesopotamia: the relative weakness of troop numbers in Mesopotamia; implications of taking and holding Baghdad; supply of gunboats and ammunition. The political situation in Mesopotamia: the opinions of the notables of Basra, and of the general population; future policy, particularly in relation to the connection between India and Mesopotamia; colonisation by Indians, and the risks associated with the ‘Indianisation’ of Mesopotamia;
- (ii) Indian Moslems [Muslims] and the War, including: Sykes’s assessment of the ‘extreme ignorance’ of Indian Muslims of Islamic theological doctrine; sympathy of Indian Muslims with the Turks and the Committee of Union and Progress; British educational policy towards Islam in India;
- (iii) General situation: the political situation in India, Persia, Egypt and Arabia, and three proposed lines of action in order to defeat the Ottoman Empire. Military situation, identifying the regions and fronts critical to the region. Final observation on ‘certain psychological idiosyncrasies’ of the Ottoman armies.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (7 folios)
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 100, and terminates at f 106, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 100-106; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and won't be found in the same position as the main sequence.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’ [100v] (2/14), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B217, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023608675.0x000003> [accessed 18 July 2026]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023608675.0x000003
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023608675.0x000003">‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’ [‎100v] (2/14)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023608675.0x000003"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00024a/IOR_L_PS_18_B217_0002.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000833.0x00024a/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B217
- Title
- ‘Policy in the Middle East. I. Memorandum by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Mark Sykes.’
- Pages
- 100r:106v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence