File 53/1915 Part IV 'German War: Turkey; Caliphate etc' [‎227v] (451/481)

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To take full advantage of these influences it is necessary that ne should
adopt a definite policy and pursue it with a co-ordinated plan as do our
enemies. Our task is the more difficult, inasmuch as out successes in the
field are negative and defensive, and our policy must he constructive rather
than destructive as is our enemies, however, there is nothing to prevent us
us taking advantage of our available assets.
To achieve our purpose it is first necessary to have a clear understanding
with our allies, particularly France and Russia, and to obtain their acqui
escence in our policy, and, when possible, their co-operation. 1 he main
point at present is to defeat the enemy and to reduce his power so that his
voice, at least, will not be heard in the settling of war and middle Eastern
problems after the war is over.
To defeat the enemy the destruction of the Ottoman Empire would be a
decisive step ; it would paralyse once and for all the enemy s activities in
Persia, Afghanistan, and India, and thus deprive him of a source of
diversions and menaces with which he amuses and distracts not only us but
Russia. Further, the Ottoman Empire in Asia still remains the enemy’s
most vulnerable position.
From a political point of view our policy might well run on the following
lines :•—
Line 1.—To back the Arabic'speaking peoples against the Turkish
Government on one consistent and logical plan.
Line 2.— (a) To support the anti-committee Turkish parties; and
(7>) the influence of the Sunni Mohammedan clergy, wherever it
is antagonistic to the Committee.
Line 3.—To propagandise Islam in a definite and offensive manner, not
making apology for our acts, but attacking the enemy on the score of
injustice, crime, unorthodoxy, and hypocrisy, in our own press, in the
native press, and by means of leaflets.
Line 1.
To achieve the first of these objects it is necessary to obtain the sanction
of France and Italy to an agreement as to the future treatment of the Arab
peoples in the present Ottoman Empire, and to obtain from France
guarantees compatible with Arab national aspirations, and to settle with
France, Italy, and Russia the status of Jerusalem. Once this is done we
can, the moment we take action, make proclamation of our intentions, and
solidify the Arabs of Irak, Palestine, Syria, and Northern Mesopotamia
against the Turks. At present the Arabs are paralysed by the fear that the
Turks will return, in any event owing to dissensions among the Entente
Powers. If we can make so clear a statement that, dependent on our
success, the Arabic-speaking people will be under French protection in one
area, and English protection in another, with the recognition of Arab
nationality and of Arab participation in the official administration in both
areas, we shall have a clear situation and a definite backing to our success ;
our primal success must, however, be derived from military action, which 1
deal with under the military situation.
I suggest that our ultimate goal should be : In Arabia
( 1 ) Recognition of the independence of Ilejaz under the Sherif.
( 2 ) The conclusion of peace between Idris and Imam Vahyali, and the
fixing of their territories, compensating Yahyah in the Aden
Hinterland and Hadhrainaut, if necessary, in return for the
expulsion of the Turks from Yemen.
(3) Declaration of an external protectorate over the Arabian littoral from
Koweyt to Hodeidah.
(4) Declaration of a British internal and external protectorate over an
area in Southern Syria and Mesopotamia to be agreed upon with
France and Russia.
Declaration of a French internal and external protectorate in an area
north of the British area.
(5) An agreement between the Entente Powers which would ensure
political and military co-operation without prejudice to the future