The Turkish Peace — Page 15
15 the testimony of the government of the Hijaz. The second matter that needs to be dealt with for the success of this endeavour is to set aside the issue of the Hijaz altogether. Anyone who is aware of the regional situation, will know about the losses suffered by the Arabs in their culture and language at the hands of foreign powers. It is also no secret that the Arabs have ardently struggled to gain their independence. The national pride of the Arabs has come to life and their desire for independence has awakened. They cannot, therefore, be placed under Turkish control against their will. After 1300 years they have once again become masters over their homeland and have proved their right to govern through their administrative skills, and sense of justice and equity. No new suggestions in this regard will be successful; nor should any sensible person entertain such ideas and nor will the Arabs accept any such thing. The independence of the Hijaz is now advantageous to Islam. The Arabs are better off as an autonomous nation rather than as a part of the Turkish Empire, and the holy sites of Islam are better off under the control of smaller nations rather than an empire stricken by grief. So this issue should be taken as resolved forever. The third point of importance is that after close