'File 53/1915 Pt 2 German War: Turkey; the Caliphate and Pan-Arab movement' [‎21r] (46/444)

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are siill ^in ^clafk frn in rC5 ^ Llrn for these s leeping assurances we
a e. ail m claiK, but tiust it may be of sufficiently definite character to
enable us to repudiate these assurances if Arabs fail to perform their part—at
any rate as far as Mesopotamia is concerned. 1
i tt rG ? aS re S ards prcciamation that, in anew of chaotic position created
by McMahon s assurances, it will be best if General Nixon issued no procla
mation at all on occupation of Baghdad, except perhaps a formal notice calling
?if 0n P°P U atl0n to acquiesce quietly in our occupation and assuring
them that their persons, property and religion will be scrupulously respected
should they do so. In India, as soon as Baghdad is actually occupied, we
propose to suppress the news ^ for day or two and to publish following procla
mation His Majesty’s Government have authorised General
JNixon to advance on Baghdad, his forces having once more defeated Turkish
opposition on the Tigris in vicinity of Suliman Pak. Not only for military
reasons is this advance necessary, but in order to relieve British ladies and
British Indian subjects who, contrary to usage of civilised war, have been detained
at Baghdad; and in order to break up a focus of Geiman intrigue in Middle
Bast. His Majesty’s Government, however, desire that it should be clearly
understood that stringent orders have been issued that every precaution
should be taken to prevent sacred shrine of Shaikh Abdul Qadir, Gilani, and
other tombs and shrines in vicinity from being in any way even accidentallv
damaged in course of the operations, in accordance with their unswerving
policy of respecting the sacred places of Islam and the susceptibilities of the
Moslem community; and they wish it to be clearly understood that in regard
to all other holy places in Mesopotamia, this policy has been and will be scru
pulously followed, and that no obstacle whatever will he placed in way of
Imams, Ulemas, Mujtahids and other religions persons following freely and
as usual their ordinary religious practices, after occupation of Baghdad. Ends,
17
Telegram P., No. 33-D. S., dated the 10th November 1915.
From—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force <f D,” Basrah.
Beference correspondence forwarded with my endorsement 2091-WA of
* Semi No 5 27 th October on subject of negotiations
between High Commissioner, Egypt, and
Sheriff of Mecca, Subsequent correspondence shows that High Commis
sioner, Egypt, acting on discretion given him by London Eoreign Office, has
included Basrah and Baghdad Vilayats in territories where His Majesty’s
Government are prepared to recognise and support the independence of the
Arabs. High Commissioner has modified this by following stipulation:— Begins.
Arabs will recognise that established position and interest of Great Britain
with regard to Vilayats of Baghdad and Basrah necessitate special measures of
administrative control in order to safeguard our mutual economic interests to
secure these territories from foreign aggression and to promote welfare of local
populations. Ends,
Against this surrender of Indian interests in Mesopotamia we have pro
tested in strongest terms. Secretary of State agrees and is pressing our views
on Eoreign Office, London. We have to-day again telegraphed further
protest ; copies of correspondence have been sent by post to you.
Secretary of State thinks, and we agree, that in view of chaotic position
created by .McMahon’s assurances, it would he better for you to issue no
proclamation at all on occupation of Baghdad, except perhaps formal notice
calling upon civil population to acquiesce quietly in our occupation and
assuring them that their persons, property and religion, should they do so,
will be scrupulously respected ; but further instructions on this point will
shortly be conveyed to you.