In+the+Anglo-Arab+Labyrinth

From //In the Anglo-Arab Labyrinth: The McMahon-Husayn Correspondence and Its Interpretations// a summary of Elie Kedourie's book by Alain Silvera
 * "Kedourie shows how a succession of junior officials, acting from a mixture of guilt, anti-Semitism, and sheer ineptitude were able to create and perpetuate the legend that Britain had betrayed the cause of its wartime Arab allies"
 * Husayn made the initial approach before an Anglo-Turkish conflict was imminent.
 * Vague language and the French, who were never consulted, significantly hindered Husayn's prospects of recieving much of the Ottoman territories
 * Following World War 1 the newly gained territories were placed under control of the English and French control, rather than fulfilling McMahon's pledges in giving Husayn this land.
 * "the shariff was informed on at least two seperate occasions of the extent of French territorial claims and declared himself to not be unduly perturbed by their demands
 * The British officials view the Caliphate as a position holding spiritual leadership, not political power
 * Husayn's original goal was to be recognized as caliph, territorial gains only occured to him after "his higher ambitions seemedlikely to be frustrated"
 * The McMahon-Husayn correspondence was in no way a series of binding documents. They were merely declarations of intent for future policy, which were subject to change based on circumstances
 * McMahon had no authority to sign a formal alliance with the Sharif