File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎175r] (346/481)

CAIRO.
acknowledge any other p ower in our communications
and representations. 1 say this from a purely
economic point of view, but from the military
point of view we none of us ignore the certainty
that we shall stand in great need of the power
of Great Britain to extinguish any ‘trouble that is
liable to braak out in the interior of the countiy
in the initial stages of so great changes; more
particularly because our friends will not hesitate
by all possible means to incite their own parti
sans against us for their own ends, in spite of
the facj that they will have to defend their own
interests in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the i editerranean
until we become powerful enough to defend (them)
ourselves. It is therefore necessary to take such
action as will protect British interests and at the
same time will preserve all the rights of independence.
There is no doubt that such candour (on our
pert) should remove any reason for the British sus
picions (of our designs) that have thrown us in
such a state of perplexity. (This passage is very
obscure).
fa We have no reason for discussing the question
of the Frontier other than as a preliminary measure,
just as the owner of a treasure would do if he had
fears of failure. He would undoubtedly ask for ad
vice and assistance from the authorities to dig out
this treasure and for their assistance would give
them special consideration and precedence when he
comes to dispose of the treasure.
Sir, it is verybtrue that no envoy or deputation
was