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'File 61/14 VII (D 51) Relations between Nejd and Iraq' [‎42r] (98/416)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (205 folios). It was created in 20 Jul 1928-31 Dec 1928. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .

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This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty 's GoYernment.T
, EASTERN (A rabia ). y ^ October 15, 1928.
______ / . s __
CONFIDENTIAL. S ection 2.
[E 4953/1/91] No. 1.
Mr. Stonehewer-Bird to Lord Cushendun.—{Received October 15.)
(No. 154.)
My Lord, Jeddah, September 24, 1928.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 139 of the 27th ultimo, with which was
enclosed a note addressed by me to the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs on the
subject of the alleged movement of troops in Iraq, I have the honour to transmit
herewith a translation of the reply addressed to me by Fuad Hamza.
2. I awaited Fuad Hamza's visit to Jeddah, when I hoped to have an
opportunity of discussing certain points connected with his note before forwarding
a translation.
3. Fuad Hamza called on me yesterday, and the question of the alleged move
ment of troops was duly brought up for discussion.
4. I told him that I failed to understand the meaning of the latter part of
paragraph 2 of his note, which reads: '' It is unfortunate that the reply to these
comjSaints (against Iraq and British officials in Iraq) should emanate from those
who were the cause of the complaints. What will be the state of affairs when the
defendant himself replies to a charge? " I said that every accused person was at
liberty to answer a charge brought against him. That, Fuad replied, was not what
he meant; what he objected to was that British officials in Iraq were in this case
both "juge et parti." The charge was levelled equally against Iraq and British
officials in Iraq, and the latter furnished the official repjy. I replied that the natural
person to furnish an explanation was the High Commissioner in Iraq, who was the
representative of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
5. Fuad Hamza then calls in question the reason given for the return of the
troops to their posts in the desert. The desert, he maintains, is as hot in August
and September as in June and July. I offered, on the occasion of our discussion,
the explanation that, the heat being intense in June and July, it was thought wise
to give the troops a change of climate, but this did not mean that they were not to
return to their posts before the end of the period of great heat.
6. Fuad Hamza concludes by stating that the point on which he wishes to lay
particular stress is that the Hejaz Government must hold Iraq responsible for the
possible results of their action in moving troops unnecessarily and without giving
due thought to the consequences. ,
7. A copy of this despatch and its enclosure is being addressed to His
Majesty's High Commissioner for Iraq.
I have, &c.
F. H. W. STONEHEWER-BIRD.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Fuad Hamza to Mr. Stonehewer-Bird.
(After Compliments.) Jeddah, August 31, 1928 {Rabia I 16, 1347).
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the
27th August, 1928, in which you reply to my letter regarding the statement of the
Iraq Prime Minister and the despatch by the Iraq Government of forces and troops
to the frontier.
His Majesty the King complained of the action of the Iraq Government and of
British officials in Iraq, and it is unfortunate that the reply to these complaints has
emanated from those persons who were the cause of them. What will be the state
when a defendant himself replies to a charge ?
Similar incidents have now again been repeated. I have forwarded to your
Excellency a protest against the despatch by the Iraq Government of armed troops
to the frontier at a time when it is necessary for the sake of peace to avoid movement
of troops, as such action would disturb the peace and cause excitement.
[595 p—2]

About this item

Content

The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and reports relating to affairs between the British Mandate of Iraq and the Kingdom of Najd. The majority of the correspondence is between Leo Amery, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary (both in London), Henry Dobbs, High Commissioner in Iraq, Lionel Haworth, 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 Bushire, Cyril Barrett, 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, James More, 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 Kuwait, Ibn Sa'ud, King of Hejaz-Najd and its Dependencies, John Glubb, Administrative Inspector in Iraq, Gerald De Gaury, Special Service Officer in Kuwait, and the Government of India.

The volume covers the period of unrest after a revolt by the Ikhwan during which there was a perceived threat of attacks against Iraq and Kuwait. The causes of and solutions to the crisis are suggested and debated amongst the different offices and departments of the British Government. Subjects raised are:

  • intelligence of tribal movements and activities, particularly those of the Ikhwan tribes of Mutair, 'Ajman, and 'Utaibah, and the threat and occurrence of cross-border raids, all gathered from reports by John Glubb, as well as local rumour and reports;
  • issues concerning the defence of Kuwait (naval protection, air reconnaissance and bombing, a land force);
  • the friction between civil and military authorities;
  • the second meeting (August 1929) between Gilbert Clayton and Ibn Sa'ud to try and reach an agreement;
  • the thoughts, motivations, and capabilities of Ibn Sa'ud;
  • a second meeting between Ibn Sa'ud and Ikhwan leaders in Riyadh to try and resolve the crisis;
  • the idea of a blockade of Hasa ports to force the Najdi tribes into submission.

Other subjects included are:

  • the sale of arms to Kuwait;
  • Sa'id al-'Aiyash, a Damascus journalist who plans to travel to Riyadh.
Extent and format
1 volume (205 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

This volume comes in two parts: the first part is a bound volume; the second part is a small file.

Foliation: The sequence starts on the volume's title page and continues through to the inside back cover. It resumes on the front cover of the file and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbering is written in pencil, circled, and positioned in the top right corner of each folio. There are the following anomalies: 1A-1C; 114A; 182A-182D; and 191A. There is a second, incomplete sequence that is also written in pencil in the same place, but is uncircled.

Condition: folio 150 bottom right corner torn away, obscuring some text.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 61/14 VII (D 51) Relations between Nejd and Iraq' [‎42r] (98/416), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/583, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023515603.0x000063> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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