File 4744/1915 Pt 1 'German War - Arabia. The Arab Bureau at Cairo' [‎216v] (342/384)

PRINTED AT THE EOBKIGN OPETCE BT C. B. HABBISON.— 19/11916,
2
The work of the Bureau will resolve itself as follows :—■
1. It will supply a report as often as occasion may require, hut not less frequently
than once a month, through the High Commissioner to the Foreign Office,
for circulation to the Departments in London.
2. It will supply a copy of this report to the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Aden, the
Chief Political Officer, Mesopotamia, the Intelligence Officer, Alexandria,
the High Commissioner, Egypt, the Government of India, and the Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. .
3. It will supply the Foreign Office with material for the home and neutral press.
4. It will supply the Government of India with material for the Anglo-Indian and
the vernacular press, to be used at the discretion of the Government of
India alone.
5. It will stimulate directly pro-entente and anti-German feeling in Egypt, Arabia,
and Turkey by means of native agents Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. .
C. It will stimulate the same feelings indirectly in Aden, Mesopotamia, and the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , through the political officers, or other channels approved and
controlled by the Government of India.
7. It will keep in close touch with the French local authorities on all matters
comprised within the functions of the Bureau, as laid down above, relating
to areas where French interests are directly concerned.
8. It will correspond directly with the Foreign Department of the Government of
India, repeating its communications, when necessary, to the General Officer
Commanding Force “ D.”
9. It will receive material for propaganda from the Foreign Department of the
Government of India.
The Conference appreciate the fact that
entirety the concurrence of the Government
hope that this will be forthcoming. In this
requested to detail an officer to serve on the
its work with that of the Foreign Department
W. DALLT JONES, Secretary.
in order _ to carry out this scheme in its
of India is necessary. They confidently
event, the Government of India will be
Bureau for the purpose of co-ordinating
of the Government of India.
G. M. W. MACDONOGH, Chairman.
A
APPENDIX.
THE following telegram was received from Sir H. McMahon on the 9th January
in response to a request for a statement of his views :—
“ Your telegram No. 4.
“ Proposed Bureau appears to be very desirable, both during the war and durino-
subsequent settlement of questions arising out of the war.
I consider it essential that it should be located in Egypt, which is best centre for
collection of intelligence and for useful activity; but it should have agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in London
and liaison members in India and Mesopotamia.
If placed in Egj^pt under control of High Commissioner it would not hamper
or overlap any other organisation. ^
« wor -k- l ar ge, and need of such a Bureau is urgent.
“ Much necessary personnel is already on the spot, but it is important to secure
seivices of bir M. Sykes and Hogarth, whose assistance and experience in starting
Bureau m Egypt would be invaluable,” ^