ملف رقم ٢١٨٢ لسنة ١٩١٣ الجزء ٨ " الجزيرة العربية - السياسة تجاه ابن سعود" [ظ‎‎٢‎٨‎٣] (٦٠٢/١٥١)

150
and that, so far as I could see, while 1 fully sympathised wilt his reluctance
to risk another rebuff, no harm could be done by wr.ting a letter now while
much good might result. However, he did not seem inclined to accept the
advice and I deemed it expedient to drop the matter so I left him with a
nartincr request to think seriously over my proposal or any alternative that
might suggest itself to him. All yesterday he studiously avoided anything
Hkf a private interview with me and the matter was not discussed; to-day
ooked like being a repetition of yesterday but at 5 J-. M. he sent for me and
after a little beating about the bush he informed me that after considering
toe matter fully he'had come to the conclusion that perhaps it would be better
that he should write as I had suggested though he did not think that any
good would result from it. He suggested that tie should send the letter
throut-h you but I advised that, the more spontaneous it appeared to be the
better the chance of its meeting with a measure of success. I asked him,
owever, to let me have a copy to send to you for information and to this he
madilv agreed. He then dictated in my presence the let.er of which I forward
a conv herewith and which will be despatched to-morrow to the Sheri If. It w
not 1 admit, as effusive as one might wish but that fact in itself saves it from
any suspicion of being a formal letter written under pressure and though I
suggested a few minor modifications which he accepted I thought it might be
dangerous to appear to be dictating the letter myself. The letter as ,t stand,
goes"to the point and is conciliatory and above all gives the Sheriff an oppor
tunity of graceful reciprocation both in word and action. As such I trust it
will be viewed with approval as a sign of Ibn Saud s genuine desire for the mam-
Tena. ce of peace and friendly relations with the Sheriff. Though the idea of
writino- was suggested by me the decision to do so was entirely spontaneous
after an obvious struggle with conflicting emotions and I venture to submit
that Ibn Saud hv writing such a letter and holding out the olive branen has
irone so far as his self respect will allow or we can expect him to and is entitled
f„ the gratitude of His Majesty’s Government. If the Sheriff declines to reci
procate his advances and insists on pursuing the path of provocation, Ibn Saud
will scarcely be to blame for the consequences and I sincerely trust that every
effort will be made to make the Sheriff take advantage of the very easy way
out of his difficulties thus opened up before him.
In my M.-147* of 8th August 1918, I have suggested what seems to me
J to be a reasonable temporary settlement
• Enclosure No. 5 of Serial No. 79. 0 f p 0 i n ts at isSUC between the tWO
mlers and I still think that that course would be the saiest to adopt,
but it His Majesty’s Government are of opinion that an attempt should be
made to solve tue boundary question at once I would suggest that some
responsible representative of the High Commissioner should meet me in the
neighbourhood of Khurma and that we should jointly make proposals. If we
a o-reed on all essential points neither the Sheriii: nor Ibn Saud could reasonably
obiect to a hnal decision bv His Majesty’s Government in accordance with our
report while if we disagreed it would be open to His Majesty’s Government to
pass final orders or to postpone decision till after the war when a proper
boundary commission might be appointed. I am convinced that Ibn Saud
would a°Tee to any of these alternatives—indeed he all along has been not
less anxious than myself that a responsible representative of the High
Commissioner should join the Mission.
p. p.—I should he obliged if I may Have a copy of a translation of
Ibn Sand’s letter to the Sheriff, which I hope will be very carefully translated.
Enclosure Copy of letter, dated 7th Dhil Qada 1336, from Ibn Saud to
King of Hedjaz.
Telegram X., No. 1581, dated the 15th February 1918.
From—S ir Percy Cox, Baghdad,
q'o —Philby, c/o Aibur, Cairo.
f Not traceable. Your telegrams! M.-36 and M. -37.