Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎98r] (199/380)

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for complaint provided he is reassured that within the legitimate area of Arab
irredentism there shall be no annexation of territory by an European Power, and that
the new forms of Government within the area shall be instituted with the consent of
the local inhabitants. The question of our policy within the Arabian Peninsula is on a
different footing, and affects the King very intimately indeed. He perceives, and
strongly resents, our uncertainty on the subject, and feels—not, I think, unreasonably
that unless his pre-eminence is secured, Arabia will remain a held of petty strife,
its tribal and other units disunited and apt for Turkish and other enemy intrigue.
Mindful of our pledges given him before his revolt against the Turks, and conscious
alike of the moral obligations then incurred by us towards him and of his loyalty to our
alliance, he expects our support—at the least, diplomatic—of his Peninsula schemes.
These latter were discussed in the note enclosed with my despatch No. 315 of the
25th December last. I feel very strongly that the time has come when the policy
suggested in that note and in my subsequent despatch No. 89. of the 7th May should be
definitely accepted as the policy of His Majesty’s Government, and then communicated
to all British authorities concerned for their information and guidance.
If this is accepted, a verbal communication on the subject should be made to
King Husein without further delay. I suggest the following as suitable :—
“ That the Entente Powers are determined that the Arab race shall be given
full opportunity of once again forming a Nation in the world.
“ That owing to the variety of conditions and sentiments amongst Arabs, this
consummation will be reached only by gradual stages, through their own efforts
and with the goodwill and assistance of the Allies.
“ That the employment by His Majsty’s Government of the appellation ‘ Arab
Kingdom ’ did not prescribe nor exclude the establishment by the Arabs of one
supreme Government in the restricted area, defined by Sir Henry McMahon in his
letter of the 24th October, 1915, to the Sherif of Mecca.
“ That as regards the future Governments to be established in Syria (west of
the Damascus-Aleppo line), in Palestine, and in Mesopotamia, final decisions cannot
be taken until circumstances permit the fuller expression, and consideration, of the
requirements of the local populations.
“ That King Husein can rest assured that such decisions will be made in
accordance with Arab national interests and the wishes of the inhabitants of those
districts.
“ That it is clearly premature to attempt to settle the connection betwfeen
the King’s Government and the local Governments until the constitutions of these
latter Governments are more precisely defined.
“ That His Majesty’s Government desire to see Arab unity in Central and
Southern Arabia.
“ That, so far as they can judge, the first step towards this would be by an
alliance between the Arab chiefs under the leadership of one of them.
“ That the twofold objects of this alliance would be to ensure the proper
conduct of Peninsula affairs, and to guarantee to each Chief a full measure of
autonomy and security within his own dominions.
“ That His Majesty’s Government consider King Husein to be the best fitted
to assume the leadership of the Alliance, and would welcome him in that capacity.
“ That His Majesty’s Government agree to promote the fulfilment of this
policy by all diplomatic means, and short of coercion, which would be foreign to
their principles, in the assurance that King Husein, on his part, will continue to
consult and be guided by them on all matters of external policy affecting the
area.”
I enclose a translation of my acknowledgment of King Husein’s letter
I have, &c.
R. WINGATE