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britannica - americana
Cependant si Aziz demande son avis, Lawrence ne tiendra pas compte
de ses soupçons : en effet, une diversion là-bas pourrait aider les
Anglais puissamment, à la fin de novembre. S’il faisait exploser le pont
d’Hama, on pourrait fouiller Beersheba en sécurité ! Aziz se doute que
toute idée d’une offensive de Médine a été abandonnée par les Turcs,
mais il n’en sait pas beaucoup plus qu’eux… On aurait besoin de quelque
bon travail de renseignement, à Djeddah, où l’opinion publique est
joyeusement bien disposée envers les étrangers. Cependant ce sera
mieux quand la mission politique française sera partie. Djeddah est
une ville merveilleuse, de la pacotille élisabéthaine exagérée… Storrs
racontera quelques perles de leur expérience : on dirait les
Mille
et une nuits
revues et augmentées de notes par Gilbert ! L’ambiance
la plus amusante qu’il ait connue…
LAWRENCE THOMAS EDWARD
(1888-1935)
[
LAWRENCE
OF ARABIA
].
Signed autograph letter, signed « T.E.L. », [Jeddah]
18 October 1916, to General Gilbert F. CLAYTON; 2 pages
in-fol., small blind-stamped vignette arms of Great-Britain
(perforations affecting a few letters; a few minor rust
stains, some marginal markings or underlinings in pencil);
in English.
7 000 / 8 000 €
Long and important letter in which T.E. Lawrence gives his opinion
about Abdullah bin al-Hussein, son of Hussein ben-Ali, one of the
leaders of the Arab Revolt, on Azis Ali al-Misri, acting Chief of Staff
of Hussein, and his considerations on the city of Jeddah.
Important memorandum to Sir Gilbert CLAYTON (1875-1929) detailing
Lawrence’s discussions with Arab commanders at Jeddah.
“In the autumn [of 1916] it was arranged that Lawrence should be
transferred to the staff of the Arab Bureau, but first he was sent to
Jeddah to report on the situation in the Hejaz. The Arab Revolt seemed
to have come to a standstill, and there was little reliable information
about the capacity of its forces or the ability of its commanders.
During two weeks in Arabia, Lawrence met Hussein’s sons, Ali,
Abdullah, Feisal and Zeid, and formed his own conclusions about
them...” (Wilson,
T. E. Lawrence,
London: National Portrait Gallery,
1988, p. 48).
Lawrence arrived in Jeddah on October 16
th
to meet with Sherif
Abdullah, and although he had only a minor role in the discussions,
he observed the participants closely and drafted notes on the various
persons he met for the Arab Bureau. Sir Gilbert Clayton (1875-1929)
was appointed Director of Military Intelligence in Cairo in 1914, and
was personally responsible to the three most senior British officials
in the Middle East. Lawrence worked closely under Clayton while in
the Military Intelligence Department. In 1917 Clayton was promoted
brigadier-general and became chief political officer of the Egyptian
expeditionary force that began the invasion of Palestine in that year. His
first task was the administration of occupied Palestine territory. Clayton
proved to be one of the most important figures in Lawrence’s career.
This letter was written directly to General Clayton on his second day
at Jeddah and he reports: “We spent about two and a half days at
Jidda, about half of which was occupied with discussions with Sherif
Abdullah…” Lawrence describes Abdulla to Clayton: “[...] looks about
thirty, and is very quiet in manner: all the same one could see that
the decision against a Brigade was a heavy blow (mostly, I think to
his ambitions). He was very cut up at first, and tried to get the order
changed, as he was afraid to inform his Father of it.” About Abdul
Aziz al Masri, Hussein’s acting Chief of Staff, he writes: “Aziz has not
taken me into his confidence, but is enormously interested in the Hejaz
Railway, North of Maan….”
After suggesting “there is a great need of some Intelligence work being
done at Jidda,” he gives his impressions of the city: “The tone of public
opinion at Jidda is rollicking good-humour towards foreigners. It will
however be quite a good thing when the French Political Mission goes.
Jidda is a wonderful town, like gimcrack Elizabethan exaggerated.
Storrs will give you some of the gems of our experience: most of
it felt as though Gilbert was editing the Arabian Nights, and adding
footnotes! The most amusing atmosphere I’ve ever had...”
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