File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎209r] (414/481)

€ ^
c £^9
Military Secret.
10
From General Force “ D,” Basra, bth January 1916.
{Addressed to Chief of General Staff, repeated to Secretary of State and
Egypt-)
No. LG. 1912, 5th. Sir P. Cox had long interview with Bin Sand at
Qatif near Bahrein on 26th December. Full note of the interview being
posted you, meanwhile resume is as follows :—“ Though Turks are no doubt
taking advantage of recent developments in Europe and of suspension of
our advance on Baghdad to endeavour to re-kindle tribal and religious
feeling against us in Central Arabia, Bin Sand does not anticipate much
result. He thinks explanation of rumour of intended purchase of 40,000
camels by Turks, is that Turks are endeavouring to bribe tribal Sheikhs
to co-operate with them, and are offering bribe in shape of an advance for
investment in camels or horses in case Turkish Government requires them.
He himself received similar overtures few months ago. He does not
believe Bin Rashid would dare to advance far towards Koweit or Nasirijah
for fear that Bin Saud should cut in against (?) in his rear, and that in any
case absence of rain and grazing puts advance of any large i° rce cat
present out of the question. Bin Sand’s present relatio ns with Shereff of
Mecca are quite normal and friendly but he characterises Shenat essentia \
unstable, trivial, undependable. Bin Saud discredits any active under
standing between Shereff and Bin Rashid. Regarding general question of
Caliphate, in the event of Turkey breaking up Bin Saud says nobody among
rulino- chiefs cares in the least who calls himself Caliph, and even if Shere
claims title they would no more accept control from
but each chief would continue to control his own tribes and Relcom
im 7fllst°VceZb^ sTrTcox interviewed new ^
He was emphatic in view that neither he (Jabar nor ks dependents) tate
any interest whatever in question of Caliphate. And Cox th a
general impression he has gained from all tribes this side of Arabia since
start of war.
0