Some 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 formal
assurances of help for it 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.
