"ملفات 61/12 و 61/16 (D 80) معاهدة بين بان سعود والحكومة البريطانية" [ظ‎‎٢‎٦] (٤٠٨/٦٣)

1. As to Akaba : Strict orders have been issued to all the army commanders to
keep away from the Akaba area, and although I have not yet received a reply from
the commanders, I am able to assure you that nothing whatever will happen in that
area.
You state in your letter that His Majesty's Government are not concerned with
the southern portion of the railway, but His Majesty's Government say nothing about
any specific place. I therefore desire to draw their attention to the movements of
the tribes around Ma'an against our tribes time and again. These movements have
been more active recently, and I do not think our tribes will remain with folded
hands in face of these acts of aggression, and I fear lest the area of these activities
should spread farther from Ma'an.
2. As to the question of peace mediation : I am no lover of war, nor am I inclined
to prolong it. His Majesty's Government are well aware of the troubles I suffered
during Hussein's Emirate. The people of the Hedjaz and the people of Nejd are
not inclined to conclude peace with the shereefs, because of the troubles and
oppression which they have endured, and I cannot do otherwise than give due
consideration to their views. Besides this there are considerations of which right-
thinking British statesmen are aware. I greatly regret that I am unable to proceed
with this suggestion.
3. I am delighted at His Majesty's Government's acceptance and at their efforts
to put an end to the abnormal situation between our Government and the Govern
ments under mandate. I am prepared to receive a representative of His Majesty's
Government for the discussion of pending questions, but in view of the great heat,
I think it better that the representative should come at the end of Muharram (about
the 20th August) to such place other than Mecca and the holy places as I may think
proper for the purpose.
,. , . (Seal of Ibn Sand.)
(Compliments.)