!['File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎102r] (224/522)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x00021e/IOR_R_15_1_569_0224.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎102r] (224/522)")
'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [102r] (224/522)
The record is made up of 1 volume (259 folios). It was created in 2 Feb 1931-30 Aug 1934. It was written in English and Arabic. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
THIS DOCUM THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
r 9 \
April 5, 1934.
—- ^/i/3q
CONFIDENTIAL. S ection 1.
[E 1803/2/25] No. 1.
Sir John Simon to Si? 1 E. Drummond {Rome).
(No. 318.)
Sir, Foreign Office, April 5, 1934.
I HAVE had under consideration your Excellency's despatch No. 241 of the
17th March, but I remain of the opinion that it would be inexpedient to accede
to the proposal of the Italian Government, that a conference of British and
Italian experts should be held to discuss the situation in South-Western Arabia.
2. It is true that the developments which have taken place there since my
despatch No. 39 of the 15th January was written make it appear less likely that
King Ibn Saud and the Imam of the Yemen will reach a solution of their
differences without recourse to hostilities; but there appear to be no new joint
steps to promote a peaceful settlement of the dispute, which His Majesty's
Government and the Italian Government could agree, as a result of such a
conference, to take. They can only continue, as in the past, to urge moderation
upon both Sovereigns, should further opportunity arise. Meanwhile, so long as
the Italian Government maintain their present attitude upon the questions of
King Ibn Baud's rights over Asir and of the Imam's alleged claims in respect of
that territory, no conference can lead to agreement upon these points. Moreover,
discussion of them, if hostilities do in fact break out, would be academic. It
might even lead to the disappearance of the existing measure of agreement in
regard to the attitude to be adopted by the two Governments in case of a Saudi-
Yemeni conflict, as recorded in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the conclusions of the Rome
conversations of 1927.
3. Since, however, the Italian Government continue to reiterate their thesis
that the question of the sovereignty of Asir remains open, and to imply, as is
done in the seventh and eighth paragraphs of Signor Suvich's letter to you, a
translation of which was enclosed in your despatch, that in regarding Asir as
now rightfully a part of King Ibn Saud's dominions. His Majesty's Government
are acting at variance with the spirit of the Rome conversations of 1927 and the
declarations of the British representatives during those meetings. His Majesty's
Government cannot, merely in order to avoid controversy, refrain any longer from
making the grounds of their attitude clear without a risk that the Italian
Government may doubt their good faith.
4. I request, therefore, that, in replying to Signor Suvich's letter, you will,
using the material in paragraphs 3-7 of my despatch No. 39, explain to him the
reasons for the considered view of His Majesty's Government that in inter
national law the sovereignty over the territory ruled by the Idrisi has
undoubtedly passed to King Ibn Saud (and that it therefore cannot be considered
an open question), and endeavour to clear up the misunderstanding regarding
the undertaking of His Majesty's Government to refrain from addressing to the
Government of King Ibn Saud a formal communication of their recognition of
his sovereignty over Asir. It may be well to add in your reply that His Majesty s
Government will naturally continue, in pursuance of the conclusions of the Rome
conversations of 1927, not only to refrain from intervention in the present conflict
between King Ibn Saud and the Imam, but also to avoid all appearance of taking
the part of either of the disputants, while seeking, should further opportunities
arise, to use their influence in favour of a peaceful settlement. You may also
assure Signor Suvich of my desire to continue to exchange information with the
Italian Government regarding the progress of the dispute. You should give him
no encouragement to hope that His Majesty's Government will accept the
invitation to hold a conference of experts, so long at any rate as the Italian
Government maintain their view regarding the status of Asir; but you may
inform him that, should he desire further explanation in regard to any special
point concerning the policy of His Majesty's Government in Arabian affairs, I
shall of course be happy to give it to him when he visits London at the end of the
month.
5. I am sending copies of your despatch No. 241 and of this reply to His
Majesty's Minister at Jedda.
I am, &c.
JOHN SIMON.
About this item
- Content
The volume contains two original files bound together. The first file (folios 1A-207) has the original reference 61/11 VI (D 102) and covers the period 7 November 1933 to 30 August 1934 and relates to Hejaz-Najd affairs. The second file (folios 208-243) has the original reference 61/6 VII (D 95) and covers the period 2 February 1931 to 5 August 1932 and relates to Najd affairs. Both contain letters, telegrams, memoranda, and reports sent between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Foreign Office in London, the Political Residencies in Bushire and Aden, the Political Agencies in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat, the High Commissioner in Trans-Jordan, the High Commissioner in Baghdad (later the British Embassy following Iraqi independence in 1932), the Colonial Office in London, the Government of India, and Ibn Sa'ud.
The main subject of the first file is the territorial dispute between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Contained in the volume are papers concerning Saudi Arabian advances into the territories of 'Asir and Yemen and the subsequent Treaty of Taif that largely settled the dispute. There is also coverage of diplomatic conversations between Italy and Britain regarding the dispute, including secret talks in Rome. Included is the full Arabic text of the Treaty (folios 143-150A) and an English translation (folios 156-177).
Other subjects covered in the first file are:
- the visit of M. Maigret, the French Charge D'Affairs, to Riyadh to speak with Ibn Sa'ud;
- the visit of Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Harb;
- a provisional agreement signed by the United States and Saudi Arabia;
- the prospect of gold in commercial quantities in the Hejaz.
Notable documents contained in the volume are a report on the heads of foreign missions in Jeddah, and a revised (June 1934) report on the leading personalities in Saudi Arabia.
The subjects covered by the second file are:
- details and significance of a resurgence in war dancing by the Saudis;
- the visit of Charles Crane to see Ibn Sa'ud;
- a request for military assistance made by Saudi Arabia to Turkey;
- the conditions of entry into Hasa for Hindu merchants.
At the end of each file are several pages of internal office notes.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (259 folios)
- Arrangement
Each of the two separate files which make up the volume is arranged chronologically.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, circled, and located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. There are the following anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D; 11A and 11B; 24A; 30A; 132A; 143A; 150A; and 236A. There are two other sequences, both uncircled and incomplete.
- Written in
- English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [102r] (224/522), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/569, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023576505.0x000019> [accessed 24 April 2024]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023576505.0x000019
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023576505.0x000019">'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎102r] (224/522)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023576505.0x000019"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x00021e/IOR_R_15_1_569_0224.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
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_100000000193.0x00021e/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/1/569
- Title
- 'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 1ar:1dv, 2r:11v, 11ar:11bv, 12v:17v, 19r:24v, 24ar:24av, 25r:29v, 30v:67v, 68v:74v, 76v:83v, 91v:96r, 97v:128r, 129r:132v, 132ar:132av, 133r:142v, 143ar:143av, 151r:247v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence