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Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎55r] (113/380)

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The record is made up of 1 file (187 folios). It was created in 1 Jul 1916-7 Dec 1918. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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2
from the Hed Sea to Korreit; and ahe bound by Treaties
w.zh Wcitiye Kulers in Southern Arabia which impone upon her
reoponeibilitieo from which oho could not, even if she
would, diveot heraelf; while the complicated network of
tribal politico makes it impoaoible for her to ignore the
trend of political events in other parte of the Peninsula*
His Majesty^ Government have no de. ire to extend their
sphere of political influence in Arabia, still less to
assume a Protectorate over that country* Their v/ish is to
diminish, not to increase, their responsibilities. But
I need not point out to Ycur Excellency that there exists no
more fruitful source of trouble in those se- i- civilised
countries than a condition of things in which tribal com*
binations can entertain the hope of enlistinc one European
Povrer against another. Nothing has producec a happier
effect in the past than a strict delimitation of the spheres
in which such Powers can legitimately exercise their
influence; and His Majesty's Government are convinced that
the avoidance of internal strife in Arabia can only be
secured through the retention by Great Britain of the
influence which this country has for so long held through*
out the Peninsula 0.3 the European Power most closely con
cerned with the internal peace and external politics of
Arabia.
I trust that the French Government will realise
equally with His Majesty's Government the dangerswhich
would be entailed by any attempt to internationalize
Arabian politics and that they will agree that the above
solution is the* only one which offers any certain
prospect of order and tranquillity v/ithin the Peninsula.
I feel sure also that they will welcome a clear statement
of our views, aa we appreciate the friendly frankness
with which they have communicated to us their instruct!ona
to Monsieur Cherchali.
I have, etc.,
(For tVie Secretary of State)
(initialled) R.C.

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Content

This file contains correspondence, memoranda, maps, manuscript notes, and other papers relating to the political and territorial settlement of parts of the Middle East following the First World War. Many of the papers were collected for the attention of the Middle East Committee (later named the Eastern Committee, following the mergence of the Foreign Office's Russia Committee and the interdepartmental Persia Committee) of the War Cabinet. Contributors include officials from the War Office, Foreign Office, Admiralty, and India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , as well as indivduals such as Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence. Correspondence comes from representatives of the French and Italian governments as well as British officials in Cairo and other parts of the Middle East.

The papers deal with plans for the region presuming and following an Allied victory in the First World War and take into consideration the imperial ambitions of the victorious European Powers (France, Italy, Russia, Britain, and the United States) and the multitudinous commitments made by the British to various groups. The plans are based on evolving agreements rooted in the Sykes-Picot, or Asia Minor, Agreement between the British and French of 1916. Regions under consideration include the Hejaz (sometimes written Hedjaz), Syria, Northern Iraq, Southern Iraq, Palestine, Armenia, Turkey, the Idrisi state, Yemen, Persia, and Afghanistan. Various matters are covered in the file, but particular focus is given to plans for the Sherifian family of the Hejaz, led by King Husein [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī], which impacted upon policy in Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine, and the Arabian Peninsula. Other matters include the situation between Jews and Arabs in Palestine, wartime commitments to ruling shaikhs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the French position in the region, and desiderata of the Government of India for any peace settlement.

Extent and format
1 file (187 folios)
Arrangement

The file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the back.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front first page with 1, and terminates at the inside back last page with 187; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎55r] (113/380), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F112/277, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100079857498.0x000072> [accessed 7 June 2026]

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