Miscellaneous correspondence, reports, maps and other papers concerning the Middle East [‎27r] (54/220)

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Power constructing a naval base on the islands of the east coast of the Red Sea.
This, however, shall not prevent such adjustment of the Aden frontier as may be
necessary in consequence of recent Turkish aggression.
11. The negotiations with the Arabs as to the boundaries of the Arab State or
Confederation of Arab States shall be continued through the same channel as
heretofore on behalf of the two Powers.
12. It is agreed that measures to control the importation of arms into the Arab
territories will be considered by the two Governments.
I have further the honour to state that, in order to make the agreement complete,
His Majesty s Government are proposing to the Russian Government to exchange notes
analogous to those exchanged by the latter and your Excellency’s Government on
2(>th April last. Copies of these notes will be communicated to your Excellency as
soon as exchanged.
1 would also venture to remind your Excellency that the conclusion of the present
agreement raises, for practical consideration, the question of the claims of Italy to a
share in any partition or rearrangement of Turkey in Asia, as formulated in article 9
of the agreement of 2Gth April, 1915, between Italy and the Allies.
His Majesty’s Government further consider that the Japanese Government should
be informed of the arrangements now concluded.
I have, &c.
E. GREY.
[93696] No. 7.
Sir G. Buchanan to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received May 17.)
(No. 711.)
(Telegraphic.) Petrograd, May 16, 1916.
YOUR telegram No. 1010 of 15th May.
Minister for Foreign Affairs concurs in your proposal for conclusion of formal
agreement between the two Governments.
[93696] No. 8.
Sir Edward Grey to Count BenckendorjJ.
(Secret.)
lour Excellency, Foreign Office, May 23, 1916.
I HAVE received from the French Ambassador in London copies of the notes
exchanged between the Russian and French Governments on the 26th ultimo, by which
your Excellency’s Government recognise, subject to certain conditions, the arrangement
made between Great Britain and France, relative to the constitution of an Arab State
or a Confederation of Arab States, and to the partition of the territories of Syria,
Cilicia, and Mesopotamia, provided that the co-operation of the Arabs is secured.
His Majesty’s Government take act with satisfaction that your Excellency’s
Government concur in the limits set forth in that arrangement, and I have now the
honour to inform your Excellency that His Majesty’s Government, on their part, in
order to make the arrangement complete, are also prepared to recognise the conditions
formulated by the Russian Government and accepted by the French Government in
the notes exchanged at Petrograd on the 26th ultimo.
In so far, then, as these arrangements directly affect the relations of Russia and
Great Britain, I have the honour to invite the acquiescence of your Excellency’s
Government in an agreement on the following terms :— 1 2
1. That Russia shall annex the regions of Erzeroum, Trebizond, Van. and Bitlis,
up to a point subsequently to be determined on the littoral of the Black Sea to the
west of Trebizond.
2. That the region of Kurdistan to the south of Van and of Bitlis between Mush,
Sert, the course of the Tigris, Jezireh-ben-Omar, the crest-line of the mountains which
dominate Amadia, and the region of Merga Var, shall be ceded to Russia ; and that
starting from the region of Merga Var, the frontier of the Arab State shall follow the
crest-line of the mountains which at present divide the Ottoman and Persian
Dominions. These boundaries are indicated in a general manner and are subject to
modifications of detail to be proposed later by the Delimitation Commission which
shall meet on the spot.