The Southern Boundary of Qatar and the Connected Problems. Report by J G Laithwaite dated 26 Jan 1934 and Appendix dated 27 Feb 1934 [‎3r] (5/10)

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15. The decision to regard it as a political no-man s land would, so far as can be
judged, be likely to mean little more than the acceptance of the de facto position
to-day. As will be seen from paragraphs 16 to 18 below, the area, save for the
Barr-al-Qarah district, is largely desert, peopled by nomadic tribes yielding uncertain
allegiance to Ibn Saud, and it appears to differ little in general couditions from the
Rub-al-Khali further south. Admittedly the absence of a limitrophe ruler who could
be made responsible for the activities of his subjects, may make it more difficult to
secure the southern border of Qatar against nomadic Bedouins. But the difficulties
involved may be less than they appear. The difficulties of any alternative to
regarding the tract as of indeterminate ownership are great, and at any rate as a
provisional policy there would appear to be much to be said for treating this area as
indeterminate in ownership and avoiding, if possible, raising the thorny questions
of its boundaries to the west and of political control within it with Ibn Saud,
Nature and Political Conditions of the Indeterminate Area.
16. Before reaching a conclusion it may be well to place on record such scanty
information as is available about the nature and the political conditions of the
indeterminate area. Apart from the coastal district known as the Barr-al-Oarah,
which is further discussed in paragraph 18 below, the bulk of it appears to belong
to the Jafurah desert, which Lorimer describes as an area " possessing only a few
wells of very bitter water, a little scanty grazing, with a surface of red and burning Ijor - J 1 '
sand," in which living conditions are extremely difficult and which is frequented 3 '
to any considerable extent" only by "the hardy A1 Morrah. and even they avoid
entering it unless in winter or in search of a refuge from more powerful enemies "
(c/. Appendix, section I (vi)). Since the date of Lorimer's Gazetteer, Mr. Bertram
Thomas, on his recent crossing of the Rub-al-Khali, has passed through this area
from south to north, travelling from the well of Banaiyan near Latitude 23° 11' 40" via
Haluwain, Nakhala, and the western extremity of a salt lake lying immediately west
of the Khor-al-'Odeid, across the pre-war Qatar frontier to Dohah. His account is of
importance because it makes it clear that such local control as is exercised is
exercised solely by nomad Bedouin tribes (and principally the A1 Murra, who are a
tribe dwelling in the sands, whose influence extends well down into the Rub-al-Khali).
Secondly, even though he travelled with a "rabia," or guarantor, from the A1 Murra Arabia
tribe, the journey was rendered extremely dangerous by the risk of an attack on the Felix,
party by Ikhwan fanatics, who roam apparently at large, over the whole area. ZIQ-I, 281.
Thirdly, the sites of Salwa, Iskak (?—Sakak) and Mabak, the first two of which lie on, Arabia
and the third slightly south of, the pre-war boundary of Qatar, were at the time of Felix '
his journey in the hands of the Ikhwan, with the result that he could not visit them. f 00 ^ote
17. On the question of political couditions Mr. Thomas throughout his journey
(the route of which lay well to the east of the blue line of the Anglo-Turkish
Convention) from the centre of the Rub-al-Khali northwards to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
refers to the established influence of Ibn Saud and its beneficent results, and
remarks: " To-day peace, the peace of Bin Saud, prevails throughout the sands.
The influence of the Ruler of Central Arabia, wielded through his able Viceroy at
Ilofuf, Ibn Jiluwi, compels peace between all these old enemies, not through direct pp. 271-2.
control, for there is and can be none, but through the immense personal prestige of
Abdul Aziz himself. A belief in his strength and star has swept across the sands.
Not love, but awe, serves this wise providence that so directs affairs. . . . Thus, the
sand tribes proper are in some degree leagued with Bin Saud. They pay to him a
nominal tribute and by that act are ensured mutual protection one from the other.
In theory the tribute is au annual levy of one dollar on each camel. In practice, the
Rashid have no money, and in any event they escape proper payment by reason of
their remoteness. They do, however, send a camel from year to year as occasion
offers in token of submission. When, however, rains fall in the northern sands and
they migrate thither, the tax-gatherers' demands must be met, and a few camels are
sold for the purpose. Light as is the bond, the tribes grumble at it. . . . They all
swear that the existing peace shall last only as long as the present regime of Riyadh.
Let Riyadh or Hofuf be thought to have lost its power, and raiding will be resumed
immediately, and blood will flow again. ..." Mr. Thomas's remarks may be
compared with those of Mr. Philby (who in 1932 travelled through the Barr-al-Qarah
area and thence south-west to the Jabrin oasis) reproduced in section 111 of the
Appendix to this Note.
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