'Report on Najd Mission 1917-1918' [‎28r] (55/60)

TREATY WITH IBN SAUD.
In the Name of God the Merciful and Compassionate.
Preamble.
The High British Government on its own part, and Abdul Aziz bin
Abdur Rahman bin Faisal al Sand, Ruler of IS^ajd, El Hasa, Qatif and Jubail,
and the towns and ports belonging to them, on behalf of himself, liis heirs
and successors, and tribesmen, being desirous of confirming and strengthen
ing the friendly relations, which have for a long time existed between the
two parties, and with a view to consolidating their respective interests—the
British Government have named and appointed Lieutenant-Col. Sir Percy-
Cox, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , as their Pleni
potentiary, to conclude a treaty for this purpose with Abdul Aziz bin Abdur
Rahman bin Faisal al Saud.
The said Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox and Abdul Aziz bin Abdur
Rahman bin Faisal al Saud, hereafter known as " Bin Saud " have agreed
upon and concluded the following Articles : — ,
The British Government do acknowledge and admit that Najd, El Hasa,
'Qatif and Jubail, and their dependencies and territories, which will.be dis
cussed and determined hereafter, and their ports on the shores of the Persian
Gulf are the countries of Ibn Saud and of his fathers before him, and do here
by recognise the said Ibn Saud as the independent Ruler thereof and absolute
Chief of their tribes, and after him his sons and descendants by inheritance;
but the selection of the individual shall be in accordance with the nominMiou
{i.e., by the living Ruler) of his successor; but with the proviso that he snail
not be a person antagonistic to the British Government in any respect; such
as, for example, in regard to the terms mentioned in this Treaty.
II.
In the event of aggression by any Foreign Power on the territories of the
-countries of the said Ibn Saud and his descendants without reference to the
British Government and without giving her an opportunity of communicating
with Ibn Saud and composing the matter, the British Government will aid
Ibn Saud to such extent and in such a manner as the British Government
after consulting Ibn Saud may consider most effective for protecting his
interests and countries.
III.
Ibn Saud hereby agrees and promises to refrain from entering into any
correspondence, agreement, or treaty, with any Foreign Nation or Power, and
further to give immediate notice to the Political Authorities of the British
Government of any attempt on the part of any other Power to interfere with
the above territories.
IV.
Ibn Saud hereby undertakes that he will absolutely not cede, sell, mort
gage, lease, or otherwise dispose of the above territories or any part of them,
or grant concessions within those territories to any Foreign Power, or to the
subjects of any Foreign Power, without the consent of the British Govern
ment. And that he will follow her advice unreservedly provided that it be
not damaging to his own interests.
V.
Ibn Saud hereby undertakes to keep open within his territories, the roads
leading to the Holy Places, and to protect pilgrims on their passage to and from
the Holy Places.
VI.
Ibn Saud undertakes, as his fathers did before him, to refrain from all
aggression on, or interference with the territories of Kuwait, Bahrain, and of
the Shaikhs of Qatar and the Oman Coast, who are under the protection of the
British Government and who have treaty relations with the said Government;
and the limits of their territories shall be hereafter determined.