A Line in the Sand: Britain, France and the Struggle for the Mastery of the Middle East

by James Barr

Allenby’s pledge that he would uphold religious freedom in the city was read out, and afterwards there was a buffet lunch for Allied officers. There, as predicted, Georges-Picot raised the matter of the future government of the city. ‘Tomorrow, my dear General, I will take the necessary steps to set up civil government in this town,’ the French diplomat announced. According to Lawrence he was met with silence. ‘Salad and chicken mayonnaise and foie gras sandwiches hung in our mouths unmunched,’ Lawrence remembered, ‘while we turned our round eyes on Allenby and waited.’ Allenby went red. ‘In the military zone the only authority is that of the Commander-in-Chief, myself.’ ‘But Sir Grey, Sir Edward Grey —’ ‘Sir Edward Grey referred to the civil government which will be established when I judge that the military situation permits,’ snapped Allenby, cutting Georges-Picot dead in his tracks.