‘File 61/31 IV (D 120) Anglo-Saudi frontier negotiations’

Content

The volume’s contents relate to ongoing negotiations between the British and Saudi Governments over the formal establishment of Saudi Arabia’s southern and eastern borders. The volume, which is a continuation of correspondence found in IOR/R/15/1/605, focuses on land which is covered by the Qatar Oil Concession, and is disputed by King ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd) of Saudi Arabia and Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī of Qatar. The volume’s principal correspondents are Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle, 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 Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain, and Andrew Ryan, British Minister at Jeddah.

Contents of the volume include:

• Correspondence relating to the arrangements and outcome of a Royal Air Force (RAF) aerial reconnaissance survey, conducted in October 1935, over Qatar’s projected southern boundaries;
• A map showing the reconnaissance route (folio 74B), a number of aerial photographs (folios 75-81), and a report of the reconnaissance (folios 72-73) are included in the volume;
• The Saudi Government’s response to the signing of an oil concession between the Shaikh ‘Abdullāh and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company;
• British objections to direct communication between Ibn Sa‘ūd and Shaikh ‘Abdullāh, with the assertion that such communication contravenes treaties signed with the British Government; discussion over the extent of Abu Dhabi’s territory, including a telegrammed report, written by Loch, dated 4 November 1935, of a conversation with Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan of Abu Dhabi over his territories (folios 92-94);
• An RAF sketch map of the Qatar Peninsula (folio 146);
• A report of a conversation in January 1936 between Loch and Shaikh ‘Abdullāh concerning Qatar’s southern boundaries, with a sketch map included (folios 190-95);
• Suggestions of an earlier agreement between Qatar and the Saudi Kingdom predating Britain’s 1916 treaty with Qatar.

Extent and format

1 volume (255 folios)

It is grouped into

‘Qatar Peninsular Reconnaissance. 11-10-35’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 74B

‘Ambak ruins looking SWW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 75

‘Qasr Al Salwa looking WSW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 76

‘Qasr Al Salwa looking SW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 77

‘Qasr Al Salwa looking S’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 78

‘Sakak Fort looking NW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 79

‘Sakak Gardens looking WSW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 80

‘Ambak looking SSW’

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 81

RAF sketch map of the Qatar Peninsula

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 145

Rough sketch map showing Dawḩat Salwá

2 images

Ref: IOR/R/15/1/606, f 195

Arrangement

The volume’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the volume to the latest at the end. There is a set of office notes at the end of the volume (folios 235-44) that mirror the chronological arrangement. An index at the front of the volume (folio 2) lists key topics covered, with a folio number which refers to the original uncircled pencil foliation system used throughout the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: There are two incomplete foliation sequences and one complete foliation sequence. The complete sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1A, and ends on the last folio of writing, which is f 245. The following foliation anomalies occur: ff 1A-D; ff 74A-B.

Other characteristics: The volume contains a number of photographs (folios 75-81) which are housed in transparent polyester sleeves.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/1/606

Former external reference(s)

A Series: 61/31 IV Confidential Series: D 120

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Sep 1935-24 Mar 1936 (CE, Gregorian)

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘File 61/31 IV (D 120) Anglo-Saudi frontier negotiations’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/606, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000243> [accessed 3 December 2023]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000243

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000243/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content