Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎13r] (27/380)

APPENDIX A.
POINTS RELATING TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SHERIF AND GREAT
BRITAIN.
1. The Sherif on his part has not agreed to :—
(a.) The exclusion of Alexandretta (which is part of the vilayet of Aleppo) or any part of Syria from
the area of Arab independence.
(i.) The permanent alienation of any part of Irak (vilayets of Basra and Baghdad) or even the
temporary coucesssion to us of any province, except that of Basra (“ districts now, November 5th,
occupied by British troops ”).
(e.) Ottoman or other foreign suzerainty over any part of the area.
2. Great Britain on her part has not agreed to :—
(«.) Do more than approve an Arab Khalifate, if set up by the Arabs themselves.
(6.) Recognize Arab independence in Syria, west of the line Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, or in any
other portion of the Arab area in which we are not free to act without detriment to the interests
of our Ally, France.
(c.) Recognize any single political chief of the independent Arab area, or the subjection of any Arab
chief to any other.
(d.) Set any term to our occupation of Irak; define the conditions on which we are to hold any part of
it; or limit our occupation to the vilayet of Basra alone.
(e.) Annul the extra-territorial privileges of foreigners.
3. What has been agreed to, therefore, on behalf of Great Britain is:—
To recognise the independence of those portions of the Arab speaking area in which we are free to act
without detriment to the interests of France. Subject to these undefined reservations, the said area is
understood to be bounded north by about latitude 37 degrees, east by the Persian frontier, south by the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Indiau Ocean, west by the Red Sea and Mediterranean up to about latitude 33 degrees and
beyond by an indefinite line drawn inland west of Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo; all that lies between
this last line and the Mediterranean being, in any case, reserved absolutely for future arrangement with
the French and the Arabs.
4. Within the above independent area it has been stipulated that:—
(a.) Aden and district remains British possession.
(b.) Irak to be in part leased to and administered by Great Britain and in other part, subject to our
control in some degree and manner ; Great Britain to hold any part of Irak, not by Imperial right, but
under concession from the Arabs.
(c.) Great Britain shall assist the Arabs :—
(i.) To obtain their independence in that area.
(ii.) To set up and, maintain such forms of autonomous government in the several districts of the area
as may be suitable to each.
(d.) Great Britain shall approve of an Arab Khalifate vice the Ottoman Khalifate, should the Arabs
succeed in establishing one satisfactorily.
(e.) Great Britain shall advise and find personnel to assist in the administration of Arab districts should
their constituted governments, when formed, so desire; but not otherwise to interfere in the internal
affairs of the area, provided that our existing treatise with Arab chiefs are not violated by the autonomous
governments.