'Memorandum on British Commitments (during the War) to the Gulf Chiefs' [‎148v] (12/14)

12
APPENDIX A.
Text of Treaty, cUUed Novmber 3, 1916, and ratified on 23, 19X8,
Jasim-bin- TJuim of (d-Katcir.
Whereas my erandfather, the late Sheikh MoHammed-bin-Thani signed an agreement on the
12th September^ 1868, engaging not to commit any breach of the mantuoe peace, and whereas these
obligations to the British Government have devolved on me his successor m Qatar ,
I.
1 Sheikh Abdullah -bin-Jasim-bin-Thani, undertake that I will, as do the friendly Arab Shaikhs
of \bu Dhabi I)il ai Shamah Ajman, Eas-ul-Khaima, and Umm-al-Qawam. co-operate with the High
British Government in ^suppression of the slave trade and piracy, and generally in the maintenance
^Thi^enriieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gnlf, has
favoured me with the treaties and engagements entered into between the Sheikhs above mentioned
and the High British Government, and I hereby declare that I will abide by the spirit and ol>li G ations
of the aforesaid treaties and engagements.
IL
On the other hand, the British Government undertakes that 1 and my subjects and my and their
vassals shall receive all the immunities, privileges, and advantages that are comerred on the fnem y
Sheikhs, their subjects and their vassals. In token whereof, Sir Percy Cox has aflixed his signature
with the date thereof to each and every one of the aforesaid treaties and engagements in t u < opy
granted to me, and I have also affixed my signature and seal with the date thereof to each and e\ ory
one of the aforesaid treaties and engagements, in two other printed copies of the same treaties am
engagements, that it may not be hidden.
III.
And in particular, I, Sheikh Abdullah, have further published a proclamation, forbidding the
import and sale of arms into my territories and port of Qatar; and in consideration of the undertaking
into which I now enter, the British Government on its part agrees to grant me facilities to purchase
and import, from the Maskat Arms Warehouse, or such other place as the British Government may
approve, for my personal use, and for the arming of my dependents, such arms and ammunition as I
may reasonably need and apply for in such fashion as may be arranged hereafter through the Political
Agent, Bahrein. I undertake absolutely that arms and ammunition thus supplied to me shall under
no circumstances be re-exported from my territories or sold to the public, but shall be reserved solely
for supplying the needs of my tribesmen and dependents, whom I have to arm for the maintenance of
order in my territories and the protection of my frontiers. In my opinion, the amount of my early
requirements will be up to five hundred weapons.
IV.
I, Shaikh Abdullah, further undertake that I will not have relations nor correspond with, nor
receive the agent of, any other Power without the consent of the High British Government; neither
will I, without such consent, cede, to any other Power or its subjects, land, either on lease, sale,
transfer, gift, or in any other way whatsoever.
V.
I also declare that, without the consent of the High British Government, I will not grant pearl-
. fishery concessions, or any other monopolies, concessions, or cable landing rights to anyone
whomsoever.
VI.
ihe customs dues on the goods of British merchants imported to Qatar shall not exceed those
levied irom my own subjects on their goods, and shall in no case exceed 5 per cent, ad valorem.
Biitish goods shall be liable to the payment of no other dues or taxes of anv other kind whatsoever,
beyond that already specified.
VII.
I, Shaikh Abdullah, further, in particular, undertake to allow British subjects to reside in Qatar
for trade and to protect their lives and property.
VIII.
., p a | so . undertake to receive, should the British Government deem it advisable, an agent from
tne iintish Government, who shall remain at Al-Bidaa for the transaction of such business as
c n is Government may have with me, and to watch over the interests of British traders, residing
at my ports or visiting them upon their lawful occasions.