T. E. Lawrence, Faisal, and Weizmann: the 1919 Attempt to Secure an Arab Balfour Declaration".: In: Royal Central Asian Journal, Vol. LVI, Part II (June 1969).

London: Royal Central Asian Society,, 1969. First edition, first impression, of this insightful study of an hitherto overlooked aspect of Lawrence's politicking vis-à-vis the Middle East: arranging and interpreting at a 1919 meeting in London between Faisal and Weizmann to secure Arab endorsement of Zionism and its aims. "Vain... were the efforts of such men as Sykes and Lawrence to intimidate and coax the Arabs into acquiescing" (p. 163). Delving into recently opened Foreign Office papers, the distinguished Palestinian historian Abdul Latif Tibawi (1910-1981) highlights Lawrence's typically slightly enigmatic role in the 1919 negotiations. "It has until now been a secret that Lawrence had become Balfour's protégé. For it was Balfour who appointed Lawrence advisor to the British delegation to the Peace Conference, contrary to the advice of the permanent staff of the Foreign Office. So when Weizmann called on Faisal, the interpreter [Lawrence] was, to put it mildly, not opposed to the Zionist programme" (p. 159). The illustrations reproduce a note from Faisal and Lawrence's translation, the latter omitting crucial references to "Arab independence" and therefore offering Weizmann an easy propaganda victory. Large octavo, pp. 156-63 within the journal. Original red card wrappers, spine and front cover lettered in black. With half-tone facsimiles of a note by Faisal and Lawrence's handwritten translation. Wrappers and contents bright, wear at head of spine: a fine copy.