ملف ١٩١٦/٣٥٧٩ "تركيا: مستقبل القسطنطينية" [و‎‎١‎٢‎٠] (٥٣٠/٢٤٨)

11
attracted renewed attention to the submarine campaign. The newspapers have
followed the political crisis at home with interest. There seems to be some
regret at Mr. Asquith’s relinquishing office. Arrangements have been made, in
accordance with the instructions of the Government of India, to prepare
Muhammadan public opinion for the news of the Russian agreement regarding
Constantinople. It is too early as yet to say how the information is being received.
Q he publication of Germany’s peace proposals will facilitate the announcement
as showing one of the conditions on which the Allies wall make peace, but
in any case the announcement must inevitably cause pain to Indian Muham- !
madans who have so long regarded England as the saviour of Constantinople
from the clutches of Russia.
Enclosuhe No. 17.
Extract from a letter from the Government of Bombay, No. S. D.-2799, dated
the Slst December 1916.
4s. It is reported that the local Muhammadan leaders to whom the agree
ment has been made known so far have received the announcement that Con
stantinople is to be handed over to Russia philosophically and it would appear
probable that very little, if any, feeling uill be aroused. To the Muhammadans
there is always the possibility that the Allies will never be in a position to give
effect to the agreement and the present situation in the Balkans makes the
probability of the agreement ever becoming effective too remote for them to
take the matter seriously at present.
Enclosure No. 18.
Extract from a letter from the Government of Bengal, No. 107-B., dated the
2nd January 1917.
3. Attitude of people. —The recent fighting in Mesopotamia has caused
various rumours to be renewed and operations there are being closely followed
bv the Muhammadan community. Hajis who have returned from pilgrimage
consider the Medina route unsafe, but they state that they have been very well
treated this year. It is rumoured that the Grand Sheriff has fled and that as
Turkey does not wish to shed blood in the Holy Land, she will not attempt to
punish bis followers now. The enemy success in R-oumania is still the subject
of much comment and some slight apprehension that Germany may yet find
a way to attack India. The refusal of the Allies to listen to the offers of
peace made by the Central Powers has evoked some surprise and disappoint
ment. It is rumoured that fighting is going on in the North-West Erontier
Provinces in consequence of which people are not being allowed to proceed to
that part of India and goods are not being received by the railway authorities
for despatch to the Punjab. This rumour is being contradicted. The general
public appear much gratified at the visit of His Excellency the Viceroy but are
a little apprehensive about his policy towards Bengal. The news regarding
the Russo-British agreement appeared in the “ Statesman ” of the 29th
December. The leading Muhammadans had previously been informed and the
newspapers had been warned to abstain from comment. So far the news
seems to have made little impression on the Muhammadan community as a
whole.