Page 171 - Gertrude Bell (H.V.F.Winstone)

WAR 151
this sentiment by the dislike of growing French influence. This
dislike is universal. Germany docs not count for much either
way in Syria. On the Baghdad side we weigh much more
heavily in the scale than Germany because of the importance
of Indian relations—trade chiefly— the presence of a large body
of German engineers in Baghdad, for railway building, will be
of no advantage to Germany, for they are not popular. On the
whole I should say that ‘Iraq’ would not willingly see Turkey
at war with us and would not take an active part in it. But out
there, the Turks would probably turn ... to Arab chiefs who
have received our protection. Such action would be extremely
unpopular with the Arab Unionists who look on Sayid Talib
of Basra, Kuwait, and Ibn Saud, as powerful protagonists.
Sayid Talib is a rogue, he has had no help from us, but our
people (merchants) have maintained excellent terms with
him ...

It was the first official report in Gertrude’s hand, a hand that was
to become famous in Government circles for its easy style, its
familiarity with eastern problems, and its provocative and erudite
commentary; and it showed that even while travelling unoffi­
cially in Syria and Mesopotamia (or Iraq as she more correctly
called it), she kept her ear carefully to the ground.
Meanwhile, the Royal Geographical Society had heard that she
was back. ‘I heard yesterday that you were back in London and
naturally take die first opportunity of writing to ask you whether
there is now a chance that you will be able to deliver your
promised paper/ wrote the director on April 12th. T am in
London but I might just as well not be, as far as you or anyone
else, outside the Wounded and Missing Office, is concerned. I
am in this office from 9 am till 7.30 pm, seven days a week and I
see no likelihood of the hours being shortened/ she replied.
While she was working with the Red Cross in France, Captain
Shakespear had been dispatched by the Government to central
Arabia to attempt to gain the support of Ibn Saud in the event of
Turkey’s entry into the war. On January 5 th, 1915 he wrote to
her from Majma’a in central Arabia:
Dear Miss Bell, I am in camp here with Bin Saud, and having
the luxury of being halted for a few days am banging off some
letters. I can’t remember when I last wrote but think it must
have been before I went down to Aldershot... just as that got