'File 53/1915 Pt 2 German War: Turkey; the Caliphate and Pan-Arab movement' [‎20v] (45/444)

i ■
10
On the other hand, it is understood that the Arabs have decided to seek
the advice and guidance of Great Britain only, and that such European
advisers and officials as may be required for the formation of a sound form of
administration will be British.
With regard to the Vilayats of Baghdad and Basrah, the Arabs will
recognize that the established position and interests of Great Britain necessitate
special measures of administrative control in or er to secure these territories
from foreign aggression, to promote the welfare of the local populations and to
safeguard our mutual economic interests.
I am convinced that this declaration will assure you beyond all possible
doubt of the sympathy of Great Britain towards the aspirations of her
traditional friends the Arabs and will result in a firm and lasting alliance, the
immediate results of which will be the expulsion of the Turks from the Arab
countries and the freeing of the Arab peoples from the Turkish yoke which for
so many years has pressed heavily upon them.
I have confined myself in this letter to the more vital and important
questions, and if there are any other matters dealt with in your letters which I
have omitted to mention, we may discuss them at some convenient date in the
future.
. Ifc was wit h very great relief and satisfaction that I heard of the safe
arrival of the Holy Carpet and the accompanying offerings which, thanks to the
clearness ^ of your directions and the excellence of your arrangements, were
landed without trouble or mishap in spite of the dangers and difficulties
occasioned by the present sad war-May God soon bring a lasting peace and
freedom to all peoples,
lam sending this letter by the hand of your trusted and excellent
messenger, Sheikn Mohammed Ibn Arif Arayfan, and he will inform vou of
various matters of interest but of less vital importance, which I have not
mentioned in this letter, •
(Here follow the usual compliments.)
16
Telegram F., No. 32-D S., dated the 10th November 1915.
From—His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department), Delhi
To—His Majesty’s Secretary of State for India, London.
Your telegram* of 8th November regarding Arabia. In McMahon’s tele-
* Serial No. 14, gramf of 5th November we find nothino"
t Serial No. 13 palliate in any way position he has
although, without imperilling the ,T' faCt ‘; emains that
other interests in Mersina, Alexandretta and Syria he yefTound Yt SaieSUard
to guarantee to Arabs the rendition of tend fori in vr 1 ^ * Pessary
Moslem leaders
creation of an Arab State and administration the financing of lar^f ° £ f he
lapse into a worse condition than even under TuitthTulfan^be g 6 n ke1y
SX tt St StS Ve f H
for the security of British interests in the^oii-fields re|“!s £