File 53/1915 Pt 5 'German War: Turkey; Arab Kingdom; the Petrograd negotiations' [‎143r] (290/436)

11
14.—Communication from the Grand Slierif of Mecca to the High
Commissioner, Cairo.
In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, to Mis Kxcellency
the eminent, energetic and magnanimous Minister.
We received from the bearer your two letters dated 9th Safar (17th
December 1915) with great respect and honour, and I have understood their
contents, which caused me the greatest pleasure and satisfaction as they
removed that which had made me uneasy.
Your honour will have realised after the arrival of Mohammed [Faroki]
Sherif and his interview with you, that all our procedure up to the present,
was of no personal inclination or the like, which would have been wholly
unintelligible, but that everything was the result of the decisions and desires
of our peoples, and that we are but transmitters and executants of such
decisions and desires in the position they (our people) have pressed
upon us.
These truths are, in my opinion, very important, and deserve your
honour’s special attention and consideration.
With regard to what had been stated in your honoured communication
concerning El Irak, as to the matter of compensation for the period of
occupation, we, in order to strengthen the confidence of Great Britain in our
attitude and in our words and actions, really and veritably, and in order to
give her evidence of our certainty and assurance in trusting her glorious
Government, leave the determination of the amount to the perception of her
wisdom and justice.
As regards the Northern Parts and their coasts, we have already stated
in our previous letter what were the utmost possible modifications, and all
this was only done so to fulfil those aspirations whose attainment is desired
by the will of the Blessed and Supreme God. It is this same feeling and
desire which impelled us to avoid what may possibly injure the alliance of
Great Britain and France and the agreement made between them during the
present wars and calamities; yet we find it our duty that the Eminent
Minister should be sure that, at the first opportunity after this war is
finished, we shall ask you (what we avert our eyes from to-day) lor what we
now leave to France in Beyrout and its coasts.
I do not find it necessary to draw your attention to the fact that our plan
is of greater security to the interests and presumption of the rights of Great
Britain, than it is to us; and will necessarily be so whatever may happen, so
that Great Britain may finally see all her own peoples in that contentment
and advancement which she is endeavouring to establish for them now ;
especially as her allies being neighbours to us will be the germ of difficulties
and discussion with which there will be no peace of mind. In addition to
which the people of Beyrout will decidedly never accept such isolations and
they may oblige us to undertake new measures which may exercise Great
Britain, certainly not less than her present troubles, because of our belief
and certaintv in the reciprocity of our interests, which is the only cause that
caused us never to care to negotiate with any other Power but you.
Consequently, it js impossible to allow any derogation that gives I ranee,
or any other Power, a span of land in those regions.
I declare this and 1 have a strong belief, which the living will inherit
from the dead, in the declarations which you gave in the conclusion of your
honoured letter. Therefore, the honourable and eminent Minister should
believe and be sure, together with Great Britain, that we still icmain him
to our resolution which Storrs learnt from us two years ago, for which we
await the opportunity suitable to our situation, especially in view of that
action the time of which has now come near and which destiny drives
towards us with great haste and clearness, so that we and those who are of
our opinion, may have reasons for such action against any cnticisms or
responsibilities imposed upon us in future.
1 our expression u we do not want to push you to an\ hast^ action which
might jeopardise the success of your aim does not need any moie