The McMahon-Hussein Correspondence,14 July 1915 - 10 March 1916
McMahon was British High Commissioner in Egypt and Ali Ibn Husain was the
Sherif of Mecca during the First World War. In a series of ten letters from 1915 to
1916 McMahon tried to attract Arab support against the Ottoman Empire. The
following excerpt is from a letter from October 24, 1915. The implied promise is
of British support of an independent Arab state.
1. From Sharif Hussein, 14 July 1915
Whereas the whole of the Arab nation without any exception have decided in
these last years to accomplish their freedom, and grasp the reins of their
administration both in theory and practice; and whereas they have found and felt
that it is in the interest of the Government of Great Britain to support them and
aid them in the attainment of their firm and lawful intentions (which are based
upon the maintenance of the honour and dignity of their life) without any ulterior
motives whatsoever unconnected with this object;
And whereas it is to their (the Arabs') interest also to prefer the assistance of the
Government of Great Britain in consideration of their geographic position and
economic interests, and also of the attitude of the above-mentioned Government,
which is known to both nations and therefore need not be emphasized;
For these reasons the Arab nation sees fit to limit themselves, as time is short, to
asking the Government of Great Britain, if it should think fit, for the approval,
through her deputy or representative, of the following fundamental propositions,
leaving out all things considered secondary in comparison with these, so that it
may prepare all means necessary for attaining this noble purpose, until such time
as it finds occasion for making the actual negotiations:-
Firstly.- England will acknowledge the independence of the Arab countries,
bounded on the north by Mersina and Adana up to the 37th degree of latitude, on
which degree fall Birijik, Urfa, Mardin, Midiat, Jezirat (Ibn 'Umar), Amadia, up to
the border of Persia; on the east by the borders of Persia up to the Gulf of Basra;
on the south by the Indian Ocean, with the exception of the position of Aden to
remain as it is; on the west by the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea up to
Mersina. England to approve the proclamation of an Arab Khalifate of Islam.
Secondly.- The Arab Government of the Sherif will acknowledge that England
shall have the preference in all economic enterprises in the Arab countries
whenever conditions of enterprises are otherwise equal.
Thirdly.- For the security of this Arab independence and the certainty of such
preference of economic enterprises, both high contracting parties will offer
mutual assistance, to the best ability of their military and naval forces, to face any
foreign Power which may attack either party. Peace not to be decided without
agreement of both parties.
Fourthly.- If one of the parties enters into an aggressive conflict, the other party
will assume a neutral attitude, and in case of such party wishing the other to join
forces, both to meet and discuss the conditions.
Fifthly.- England will acknowledge the abolition of foreign privileges in the Arab
countries, and will assist the Government of the Sherif in an International
Convention for confirming such abolition.
Sixthly.- Articles 3 and 4 of this treaty will remain in vigor for fifteen years, and, if
either wishes it to be renewed, one year's notice before lapse of treaty is to be
given.
Consequently, and as the whole of the Arab nation have (praise be to God)
agreed and united for the attainment, at all costs and finally, of this noble object,
they beg the Government of Great Britain to answer them positively or negatively
in a period of thirty days after receiving this intimation; and if this period should
lapse before they receive an answer, they reserve to themselves complete
freedom of action. Moreover, we (the Sherif's family) will consider ourselves free
in work and deed from the bonds of our previous declaration which we made
through Ali Effendi.
2. From Sir Henry McMahon, 24 October 1915
I have received your letter of the 29th Shawal, 1333, with much pleasure and
your expressions of friendliness and sincerity have given me the greatest
satisfaction.
I regret that you should have received from my last letter the impression that I
regarded the question of the limits and boundaries with coldness and hesitation;
such was not the case, but it appeared to me that the time had not yet come
when that question could be discussed in a conclusive manner.
I have realized, however, from your last letter that you regard this question as
one of vital and urgent importance. I have, therefore, lost no time in informing the
Government of Great Britain of the contents of your letter, and it is with great
pleasure that I communicate to you on their behalf the following statement, which
I am confident you will receive with satisfaction:-
The two districts of Mersina and Alexandretta and portions of Syria lying to the
west of the districts of Damascus, Homs, Hama and Aleppo cannot be said to be
purely Arab, and should be excluded from the limits demanded.
With the above modification, and without prejudice of our existing treaties with
Arab chiefs, we accept those limits.
As for those regions lying within those frontiers wherein Great Britain is free to
act without detriment to the interest of her ally, France, I am empowered in the
name of the Government of Great Britain to give the following assurances and
make the following reply to your letter:
1. Subject to the above modifications, Great Britain is prepared to recognize and
support the independence of the Arabs in all the regions within the limits
demanded by the Sherif of Mecca.
2. Great Britain will guarantee the Holy Places against all external aggression
and will recognize their inviolability.
3. When the situation admits, Great Britain will give to the Arabs her advice and
will assist them to establish what may appear to be the most suitable forms of
government in those various territories.
4. On the other hand, it is understood that the Arabs have decided to seek the
advice and guidance of Great Britain only, and that such European advisers and
officials as may be required for the formation of a sound form of administration
will be British.
5. With regard to the vilayets of Bagdad and Basra, the Arabs will recognize that
the established position and interests of Great Britain necessitate special
administrative arrangements in order to secure these territories from foreign
aggression, to promote the welfare of the local populations and to safeguard our
mutual economic interests.
I am convinced that this declaration will assure you beyond all possible doubt of
the sympathy of Great Britain towards the aspirations of her friends the Arabs
and will result in a firm and lasting alliance, the immediate results of which will be
the expulsion of the Turks from the Arab countries and the freeing of the Arab
peoples from the Turkish yoke, which for so many years has pressed heavily
upon them.
I have confined myself in this letter to the more vital and important questions, and
if there are any other matters dealt with in your letter which I have omitted to
mention, we may discuss them at some convenient date in the future.
It was with very great relief and satisfaction that I heard of the safe arrival of the
Holy Carpet and the accompanying offerings which, thanks to the clearness of
your directions and the excellence of your arrangements, were landed without
trouble or mishap in spite of the dangers and difficulties occasioned by the
present sad war. May God soon bring a lasting peace and freedom to all
peoples!
I am sending this letter by the hand of your trusted and excellent messenger,
Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Arif Ibn Uraifan, and he will inform you of the various
matters of interest, but of less vital importance, which I have not mentioned in
this letter.
Henry McMahon (British High Commissioner In Egypt 1915-1917), Hussein Ibn Ali (Sharif of Mecca, 1908-1924 )
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