File 4744/1915 Pt 1 'German War - Arabia. The Arab Bureau at Cairo' [‎154r] (217/384)

Telegram fr®m General Lake.'
Dated 11th June 1916.
i
; 22 55 /p^
2758. Please see 3. iof oL^ji ^leg^ ’am of 27th May,
%
communicated in your telegram v± (l s. dated 3§th May.
$1). The first mention of Bureau on my record occurs
in S. of S. ? s telegram of 10th December 1915 to the Viceroy and
I am not aware on what the statement that suggestion came from
G.O.C. Mesopotamia is based.
(2) . The S. of S. f s present telegram as repeated by
you does not furnish a complete reply to my specific query
as to whether
xkaDSKXESxsKaiisdcia: words "policy and principles" in his telegram
of 3Gth April merely refer to working of Bureau or to national
with regard to
policy the Arab question.
(3) . In the first alternative I shall necessarily
use my discretion as to what is or is not published or dissemin
ated in occupied territory here.
In the second alternative I find it difficult
to accept position implied without full discussion.
are
(4) . It must be remembered ±kx± as they/themselves
I think now realising that the environment and point of view of
Cairo differ widely in many respects from ours in Irak.
Certainly hitherto the experiment made in attempting to handle
affairs of Irak through Cairo without previously consulting us
can hardly be regarded as fortunate. I refer to original
communications with Sherif in regard to Mesopotamia and the Arab
Kingdom; the decision to send A1 Misri and Farokhi and certain
Arab Officers to Basra; and another abortive project connected
with Saiyid Talib.
(5). During the past few weeks the experience gain4
ed by one or two Officers from Cairo who have paid visits here
has I hope resultedjin considerable removal of wrong
impressions and the readjustment of Cairo’s views in several
^ ‘ % (? respects)
( ' i_g,