Mustafa Kemal-Lawrence Meeting in the Light of British Documents

Abstract

In April 1926, Brigadier-General Moberley of the British Army was writing a book, entitled History of the Mesopotamian Campaign, which included a section on Turkish war aims and Pan-Turkism. He approached the British Foreign Office for information on the subject, whereupon one of the officials, W. G. Childs, drew up a minute 20th April for the use of the Department. This minute throws interesting light on the personality and career of Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk). Apparently, Childs had spoken to Colonel T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia reputation) on the subject, who had told him that, "by a curious accident", he (Lawrence) was able, in September 1918, "to have several conversations with Mustafa Kemal Pasha", and that among the topics discussed was that of Turkish war aims.