'Ibn Sa'ud. Notes by Colonel Hamilton, Political Agent, Koweit, based on conversations at Riyadh in November 1917' [‎72r] (1/6)

B. 286.
IBN SA'UD.
Notes bv Colonel ir<nnilton, 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. , Koweit, based on
conversations at Hiviidli in November 1917.
[Received through Arab Bureau, Iraq Section.)
I.
T bn t S a ud s T itf.i:.
Ibn Sri'ud is frequently referred to by us as His Excellency or His Honour the
Amir of Xajd (or ol Central Arabia). , fn his own dominions lie is spoken of by
respectful persons as the Imam, while the Beduin call him familiarly 'Abdul 'Aziz
or llnkkam iplnral of llakkim). In Riyadh there is a chance of being 1 misunderstood
in calling him Imam, as that is also the title of his father Abdur Hahaman. Ibn
Sa'ud does not like to be called the Amir, as that is the courtesy title commonly given
to headmen of towns and villages. He prefers to be addressed officially as Hakim
Xajd. It would, therefore, seem that the best official title would be His rJxcellencu
the Ruler (Uadhr-at-al-flnkim) of Xajd.
II.
Rklatioxs with the Tribks ('Aj.MAX, &c.).
Ibn Sa ud's attitude towards the 'Ajman has undergone no change. He considers
it is quite hopeless to arrange any terms with them, as they are born and sworn
enemies of his, and are notorious even among Arabs for treachery and disregard for
all contracts. They do not obey their Shaikhs, and frequently set at nought tribal
customs of fundamental importance. Moreover, the 'Ajman have not abideil by
the terms imposed upon them by the Government with Bin Sa'ud's consent and
approval, as drawn up at Kuwait in November 1910. As soon as Ibn SVud began to
gather the clans for his march upon Ibn Rashid, the'A jman under all the Shaikhs
ol the Ibn llithlain went off to Ibn Uashid, and, taking station upon his Hank,
immobilised a large proportion of his force, and contributed to the general failure
of his intended offensive. 1 hey have only come in now because they are hard up
for provisions. Ibn Sa ud considers, and nothing will convince him of the contrary,
that Il)n Sabbah's (Salim of Kuwait) allowing them to enter his territories is a
distinctly unfriendly act, and is so understood by all Arabs. His differences with
[bn Sabbah are entirely on account of the 'Ajman, Even his taxation of the 'Awazim
(who, he says, with all the desert tribes really belong to his confederation) is, he
hints, his reply to Ibn Sabbah's unfriendly conduct in harbouring his enemies the
'Ajman. He greatly dislikes Salim personally, in spite of the fact that Salim is so
strict a Moslim, so severe a Puritan, that he is as WaUabi as any man jack of the
Kajdis. Salim is close-iisted, he says; but another reason, i suspect, is the mutual
jealousy, felt in this instance to a greater extent by Salim than Ibn Sa'ud. Just as
the latter complains that we have shown in his regard undue favouritism toward
the Sharif, so Salim asks me why we subsidise Ibn Sa'ud to the extent of 5,0001. a
month, implying, though of course not saying, that we do nothing for him.
I argued the case in favour of the Ajman at several long interviews, but failed
to move Ibn Sa'ud to relent beyond offering the following conditions to the "Ajman : —
Alternative (I).—That the tribe should move off at once en masse to assist Ibn
Hadhdhal and the Xorthern 'Anizah.
Alternative (2).—That several of the principal Shaikhs should come into Riyadh
and surrender and leave hostages for their future good behaviour; the tribe-
might then move to Qasini to the Ataibah dirah and remain quiet.
S 15 40 7,18 A