SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT

       LETTER FROM SIR EDWARD GREY TO COUNT BENCKENDORFF, 10-23 OCT. 1916

     IN REPLY TO YOUR EXCELLENCY'S NOTE OF THE 1ST ULTIMO, REGARDING THE

ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN, RUSSIA, AND FRANCE, RELATIVE TO THE CREATION

OF AN ARAB STATE, OR OF A CONFEDERATION OF ARAB STATES, AND TO THE PARTITION OF

THE TERRITORIES OF SYRIA, CILICIA, AND MESOPOTAMIA, PROVIDED THAT THE

COOPERATION OF THE ARABS IS SECURED, I HAVE THE HONOUR TO STATE THAT HIS

MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TAKE NOTE OF THE RESERVATION FORMULATED BY THE IMPERIAL

RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AT THE END OF ARTICLE 4 OF THE ARRANGEMENT RESPECTING THE

RIGHTS OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERNMENT TO GRANT CABOTAGE IN THE BLACK SEA, AND OF

THE DESIRE MANIFESTED BY THAT GOVERNMENT THAT THIS QUESTION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED

LATER TO A FRIENDLY EXAMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE PARTIES INTERESTED.

                                     SIR EDWARD GREY