Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎231v] (462/544)

LORD CURZON : Lord Robert Cecil is right in essence. He says both of us
have put our signatures to a document which lays down a principle of self-determination.
If the self-determining people in one part of the Eastern world claim to be protected
by us, we are acting in accordance with that principle. None ot these nations in any
circumstances would ever consent to be protected by the French. I do not think,
however, that the words are of great importance, and 1 am prepared to leave them out.
(Resolutions 3, 4, and 5 were then accepted.)
LOUD CURZON : No. 6, “If it is found necessary to provide in any form for the
overlordship over these areas of the King ot the Hejaz, this should in all probability
be contined to a recognition of his spiritual authority and to the use of his name in the
prayers in the mosques.”
MR. MONTAGU : He has not any spiritual authority yet, has he?
LORD CUUZON : As Sherif of Mecca, he has a spiritual position.
MR. MONTAGU : But no spiritual authority over Mesopotamia ?
MR. BALFOUR : Not over the Shiahs.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : “ Recognition of his spiritual position” I think, would
he a safer word than “ authority.”
MR. BALFOUR : Do the Shiahs take any account of the man who owns Mecca ?
LORD CURZON : I daresay others are better qualified to answer, but I should
say next to no account.
SIR HAMILTON GRANT : I think, in accordance with the principle that we
should hold ourselves entirely aloof from evervthing to do witn the Khali fate, it wouln be
wise to hold ourselves aloof from any recognition of any spiritual authority of any kind
whatever in the Moslem world. 1 he Sherd may claim a certain spiritual authority even
over the Shiahs of Mesopotamia, and for us in any way to recognise it, I think, would
be both distasteful to the Moslem world as a whole, and might involve us in difficulties
such as we have sought to avoid in dissociating ourselves from the Khalifate.
LORD CURZON : You will remember, in regard to this particular suggestion
about the use of his name in the prayers in the mosques, that the title of Amir-ul-
Muminir has appeared in almost all the recommendations which have reached us. It
was suggested to us not only by Colonel Lawrence here, but also in Ccmmander
Hogarth’s paper, and in Miss Bell’s paper. Therefore, it has found support even in the
areas to which you refer.
SIR HAMILTON GRANT : Feisal would like it, and so would the Sherif. All
I say is that we, as a Christian Power, would be wise to dissociate ourselves from any
such recognition.
LORD CURZON : I have merely put it in a hypothetical form, “ If it is found
necessary to provide in any form for the overlordship over these areas of the King of the
Hejaz, this should in all probability be confined to a recognition of his spiritual position
and to the use of his name in the prayers in the mosques.”
MR. BALFOUR : Sir Hamilton Giant’s view would be completely met if a rider
were put to that: “ The Committee recognise that this is a matter entirely for Moslem
and not for Christian nations to decide.”
LORD CURZON : Very well. For whom do they pray in the mosques at
Baghdad now ?
SIR HAMILTON GRANT : The Sultan still, I think.
LORD CURZON : “ (7) Whether a single Arab State or a number of Arab States
be set up in these areas, the support and protection of a great European Power will be
found indispensable.” Is that accepted ?
LORD ROBERT CECIL : I think that is clear.
LORD CURZON : “ (8) If the inhabitants of these areas, acting upon the principle
of self-determination, express a desire that Great Britian should fill this role, their
recovery from Turkey by the armies of Great Britain and India and the predominant