From ‘The Khalifate’, The Spectator, 1 May 1915:
It seems that the Ottoman Empire is likely to crumble away, and in that event, whether it happens soon or late, the question of the Khalifate will cause many searchings of heart to the Mohammedan world. In an intimate and most important sense Britain is concerned in this matter. The spiritual security and satisfaction of Moslems vitally concern the British Empire. It is not only that we owe it to the innumerable Moslems under our rule that their wishes and susceptibilities should be strictly respected; the communion of feeling throughout Islam is so strong that the British Empire, as a great Mohammedan Power, owes it to itself and to Moslems everywhere that it should proclaim itself in solemn terms a trustee of the rights and claims of Islam. The last thing we intend to suggest by these words is that Britain should offer advice as to who the future Khalif should be. We mean the exact contrary. Mohammedans themselves must, of course, choose their Khalif. Otherwise the Khalif would not be a Khalif at all, for the essence of his office is that the chief Imam of all Moslems is an independent political authority. What we mean is that Britain should make it clear to the whole world—should, so to speak, proclaim her policy from the house-tops—that whatever decision may be come to by Moslems as to the future of the Khalifate will be respected by her.
It may be remarked that no responsible Englishman has ever been so mad as to suggest that we should interfere with the Khalifate. It is true that no such folly has ever been whispered. But if there is any doubt about the matter—any vestige of anxiety or suspicion—in the minds of Moslems, it is desirable to remove it. This is the sense of a letter which Lord Cromer, whose wisdom in dealing with Moslems has never been at fault, sent to the Times of last Saturday. We desire to support his advice as strongly as we can. Lord Cromer states that there is, as a matter of fact, some anxiety among Moslems as to the British attitude towards Islam, and the question of the Khalifate happens to focus that anxiety. When Lord Cromer mentioned the future of the Khalifate in the House of Lords, Lord Crewe assured him that the British Government had no thought of interfering. Lord Hardinge recently made a statement to the same effect in India. But we agree with Lord Cromer that something more is needed. He suggests the issue of a manifesto informing Moslems of the importance Britain attaches to the political independence of the Khalif. We are most anxious to underline this suggestion. We are convinced that the effect of such a manifesto would be excellent. The Government will be guilty of a real omission if they do not take this course. The manifesto would promise nothing which it is not already our firm resolve to guarantee to Mohammedans. It would be simply a means of making our set policy universally known and placing it beyond question
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