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'Memorandum on British Commitments to Bin Saud' [124v] (6/16)
The record is made up of 8 folios. It was created in 1918. 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. .
Transcription
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6
" On the other hand, the advantages seem to be considerable ;—
" (a.) Complete control of the Arabian littoral of the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
.
{b.) Similar complete control of the arms traffic.
"(c.) The practical exclusion of foreign Powers and influence in Central
Arabia.
" [d.) The security induced by British suzerainty and 'Bin Sands' strong
control of the Bedouin tribes will give a great impetus to trade
through the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
ports, probably diverting a share of what
now passes through the Red Sea ports.
(<?.) The great influence Bin Saud ha»s over Mohammedan opinion in Arabia,
an influence likely to increase as the Turkish Empire breaks up and
the Khalifate of the Sultan is questioned, will be a British asset.
(/.) Bin Sand's influence with all Arab tribes, and particularly with the
Northern Anazah, with whom our occupation of Lower Mesopotamia
will bring us in close contact.
Upon receipt of Captain Shakespear's report, Sir P. Cox telegraphed on the
16th January, 1915, to the Government of India (17000/1385/15 : No. 49) a summary
of Bin Saud's desiderata, and made the following further suggestions:—
" Bin Saud should undertake :—
"First. —To receive representative of British Government either at his
capital or sea-port or both, if desired.
"Secondly, —To agree (to) extra-territoriality for our non-Mohammedan
subjects.
"Thirdly. —To abstain from waging war by sea without our consent, and to
co-operate for the suppression of piracy.
" Fourtldy. —To protect pilgrim traffic passing through his territory.
" Fifthly. —To levy customs dues at rates which we consider reasonable,
having regard to rate prevailing at Bahrein and Koweit.
" Sixthly. —To allow British merchant vessels to visit his ports.
" Seventhly. —To agree to locate post office and possibly telegraph office at his
port when the time comes."
"I do not include any item regarding slave trade, as that is not now a
serious difficulty, and has given us no trouble at Koweit.
Only point regarding which it seems necessary to offer c^nment here is the
question of protection against external aggression by land. w ^hen we invited
Bin Saud to move on Basrah, we undertook to protect him against reprisals by
Turks, so that, as far as latter are concerned, what Bin Saud now asks us to give
does not amount to much more. Apart from Turks, Central Arabia is practically
inaccessible by land to any Power but ours, and I venture to think that we should
incur little risk by giving the desired undertaking, subject to (the) reservation
that aggression be unprovoked.
We have publicly declared that our object is to effect liberation of Arabs
from oppressive yoke (of) Turkey. In this case there is no question of annexation
of territory to which our allies could take exception, while Bin Sand's weight in
scale would be no mean asset to joint cause of us all. Can I possibly be authorised
to draft a treaty on above lines for negotiation by Captain Shakespear ? I shall
not now have the opportunity of meeting Bin Saud myself.
am obliged to give Bin Saud some reply by his messenger, who has orders
to return at once. I am sending Captain Shakespear purport of above additional
pomts and asking him to use his discretion in discussing them with Bin Saud. To
->in > aud I am replying that I hope that an instrument safeguarding his position
can )e arrived at somewhat on lines indicated, and that I have telegraphed to
overnment on subject, but that treaty must necessarily take a little time to
aqq 1 /! ja 1 nuar y» 1915, after further correspondence with Sir P. ^ oX
< 11837/1385^S) a Vicero y telegraphed to the
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.
as follows
runri., settlement, Bin Saud has himself submitted memo-
m se irig orth tentatively his proposals for formulation of treaty. These
About this item
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This is a printed memorandum by the Political Intelligence Department of the Foreign Office concerning British commitments to Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)] in the context of the First World War. The memorandum gives an overview of British and Turkish relations, including various treaties with Ibn Saud between 1913 and 1916, as well as 'Relation of Commitments to Bin Saud to British Disiderata', including 'Demarcation of Territories', 'Keeping of the Peace' and 'Dynastic Guarantee'. There is an appendix (folio 129) which includes the text of the treaty of 26 December 1915 signed by Ibn Saud and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox.
- Extent and format
- 8 folios
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 122 and terminates at folio 129, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 11-158; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
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'Memorandum on British Commitments to Bin Saud' [124v] (6/16), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B295, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023666293.0x000007> [accessed 19 April 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B295
- Title
- 'Memorandum on British Commitments to Bin Saud'
- Pages
- 122r:129v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence