ملف ١٩١٦/٣٥٧٩ "تركيا: مستقبل القسطنطينية" [ظ‎‎١‎٢‎٠] (٥٣٠/٢٤٩)

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Enclosure No. 19.
Extract jrom a letter from the Government of the United Provinces,
Eo. 1697-C., dated the 6th January 1917.
»•** ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية
2 The Russian treaty was explained by Commissioners or district officers
to leading Muhammadans in all parts of the province during the third week
of December. The news was taken calmly and in fact in most places it is
said to have fallen flat. The general attitude was one of resignation to the
inevitable stripping of Turkey, while there was a feeling of gratitude
among all classes of Muhammadans because they have been taken into the
confidence of Government. The chief anxiety was for peace m the Hedjaz
when war ceases and for a strong and independent Moslem administration
there. At Lucknow, which proved in June last to be the mam focus of
excitement over the revolt by the Sheriff, the Commissioner had an entirely
satisfactory interview. The minds of leading Muhammadans were much
more exercised over the home rule question than anything else. _ One leading
local Muhammadan, the Raja of Jahangirabad, < while expressing no regret
at the announcement, asked whether Karbala will be included in the Holy
Places of Arabia which will come into Muhammadan sovereignty in Arabia.
He considered this an important stipulation. The Raja of Mahmudabad
desired to know whether the political independence of Arabia and the Hedjaz
would resemble the independence of Egypt. He wa-s informed that the
intention, so far as we know, is to give absolute independence under a Muham-
madan sovereign. All those present gave assurances that there would be no
protest against the contemplated arrangements. Saiyid Wazir Hasan, Secretary
of the Muslim League, added that it was now proposed to keep the operations
of that League entirely apart from all religious affairs. It would concern
itself in future mainly with domestic politics. He proceeded to say that the
present talk about the home rule reforms, &c, was not intended to embarrass
Government. It was really caused by apprehension that India would be
subject to the colonies as well as to Great Britain and that peace might come
at any time. The colonies were already pressing for a share in the rule of the
empire and this would mean interference in Indian commerce, tariff, &c., and
with India generally.
Enclosure No. 20.
Extract from a letter from the Government of the Punjab, No. 41—186 S.
dated the 31st December 1916.
* * * * * • * .
Reports have now come in regarding the manner in which the inform
ation regarding the probable fate of Constantinople has been received by
responsible Muhammadans and the general opinion is that there is no reason
to anticipate any popular excitement when it becomes generally known. Ihe
indifference has’been particularly marked in the Muhammadan districts of
the north and south-vfest of the province where the population is mainly
rural and therefore little affected by political intrigue. In the Jhang District
none of those who were given the information expressed any sympathy with
the Turks, and two of them went further and said that it would be a good
thing if, instead of making the Hedjaz an independent State, we were to take
the country under our own rule. In the Attock District the news was re
ceived without the slightest show of interest. In the Jhelum District the
opinion was expressed that Turkey by her action towards the Allies richly
deserved condign punishment. The District Magistrate, Montgomery, himself
a Muhammadan, reports “ I doubt whether any arrangement arrived at
Wween England and Russia regarding the future of Turkey will cause much
painful surprise to the people. They have known all along that the Turks