P 3280/1916 Pt 2 'Arab Revolt - Subsidies' [‎35r] (69/156)

I
"f,
Moreover it is undesiralDle on political .-rounds
that Shereef should he piaced in a position to arrue
that cost of hmir Faisal’s operations and of any Arab
movements which may eventuate in Syria has fallen mainly
upon him* It will greatly strengthen his claims for
a preponderating voice in any eventual settlement of
that area and thus handicap us and still more our
French Allies* Progress of revolt has shown very clearly
that Shereef is not likely to put up any form of
Government which would be acceptable in Syria, either
s to Christians or Moslems, and it appeals improbable that
such personal aspirations as he may have in that area
can ever bo realized*
Emir Faisal is regarded by many Syrians as possible
head of a Syrian -Arab State^ but idea of a pure Sherifian
Government is distasteful to all classes and whatever
Arab Government is instituted in Syria can never be
more than nominally under Meccan control or Suzerainty*
In due course Shoreef will discover this for himself and
he probably has a fairly shrewd idoa of it even now,
but it would appear inadvisable to throw upon him bulk
of expenditure incurred in liberating a country in which
he has but little chance of realizing his aspirations
to the full*
In view of above arguments I put forward and strongly
recommend following suggestion*
That additional £25*000 a month which has already
been promised to Shereef for 5 months after fall of
Medina be given him now, and that it be continued lor a
maximum