Introduction
Foundations of Revolt
Chapters I to VII
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ome Englishmen, of whom Kitchener was chief, believed that a rebellion of Arabs against Turks would enable England, while fighting Germany, simultaneously to defeat her ally Turkey.
Their knowledge of the nature and power and country of the Arabic-speaking peoples made them think that the issue of such a rebellion would be happy: and indicated its character and method.
So they allowed it to begin, having obtained for
it formal assurances of help from the British
Government. Yet none the less the rebellion of the
Sherif of Mecca came to most as a surprise,
and found the Allies unready. It aroused
mixed feelings and made strong friends
and strong enemies, amid whose clashing
jealousies its affairs began
to miscarry.
