IOR/L/PS/10/616

The volume contains papers largely relating to French policy in the Hedjaz [Hejaz] and Arabia, and Anglo-French relations concerning the region. It includes papers relating to the following:

• The French mission being sent to the Hedjaz under Mustapha Cherchali.
• The French Military Mission in the Hedjaz.
• The British desire for French recognition of British predominance in the region.
• The Sykes-Picot Mission.
• The recommendations of HM High Commissioner, Egypt, on future British policy in Arabia.
• The desire of the French government to send the equivalent in gold of 975,000 francs to the King of the Hedjaz.
• The question of a revised agreement between Britain and France regarding Arabia and the Hedjaz.
• The activities of a French agent at Mecca, Mahomet Bin Sasi.

The volume also includes papers relating to the policy to be adopted by Britain towards Italian ‘pretentions’ in Arabia.

The papers mostly consist of: correspondence between the India Office and the Foreign Office, with enclosures including correspondence between the Foreign Office and the French Ambassador to the United Kingdom; copy correspondence between the Foreign Office and Sir Reginald Wingate, HM High Commissioner, Egypt, sent to the India Office by the Foreign Office; India Office Minute Papers; and other correspondence and papers. Some of the papers are in French, and there is also a copy of a newspaper cutting in Italian.

The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.