File 756/1917 Pt 1 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 1 to 65’ [‎440v] (885/1240)

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i able to ffive any assistance ; they cannot take Egypt,
are no longer a 1 g T . V a man (Barnm), who was once
and now they sen Ah ^ £or treason. The latter condemns
imprisoned by byy • w hich has blackened the Senussi
Supply s 3 no longer possible for this army and Seyyid Ahmed
fs a P sked to return and set his country in order.
The following extracts from this intercepted letter are of
particular interest, as showing the effect which the bhenfial rising
at the present moment has on the former s mind
“ Sir look at the Sherif Husein, Emir of Mecca, who was
made by the Turks. He saw that his interest and the interest
of his country required him to go against them. He proclaimed
his independence, and asked the approval of the Allied Govern
ments (which he obtained), and now he is the King of the
Arabs He is now arranging his Government, such as the torm-
ation of Cabinets and other things. If he had entered the war
with the Turks, the Allies would have been occupying his
country as they now occupy Basrah and other towns. He pro
claimed everywhere and to the papers that his actions are not
against Islam, but against the Unionist I arty. He still preaches
in the name of the Khalifa, but the Khalifa is at a loss what to
do. The Arabs wanted to safeguard their honour from the
Union and Progress Party. They have proclaimed him king.
“ How can the Turks enter Egypt after they have failed to
retake Hejaz ? After being near the Canal, they have to-day
retired from El-Arish, and the English have occupied Rafa, and
are striking at the Hejaz railway to cut it, as those who can read
maps will inform you if you do not know. Don’t you see the
Seyyid Idris of the Yemen who is still independent and did not
commit himself, though the English tried to persuade him to
fight the Government (Turks) ? The Government tried to incite
him against the English, but he refused. You might have done
like him before the affair of Solium. The Government and the
English were in your hand. Regret is now useless. I draw
your attention to the Islamic world, which desires to know you.
You must look for what is to our advantage and that of our
country, so that we may not be sacrificed for others.”
Western Desert.
Our rough handling of the Siwa soldiers at Girba is expected
to have driven them all to Jaghbub, and probably on to Jalo;
they had large numbers of sick, and their journey was undertaken
before their preparations were complete, so that their march is
likely to be attended with considerable casualties before they
reach Jaghbub. This place is not considered able to support
an army, in which case there remains before the latter the
difficult march to Jalo for which a six days’ water supply has to
be carried.