'Memorandum on British Commitments to Bin Saud' [‎129r] (15/16)

15
APPENDIX.
TEXT OF THE TREATY OF DECEMBER 26, 1915.
In the Name of (iod the Merciful aud Compassionate.
Preamble.
The High British Government on its own part, and Abdul Aziz-bin-Abdur Rahman-bin-Faisal
Al-Saud, Ruler of Najd, El Hassa, Qatif and Jubail, and the towns and porta belonging to them, on
behalf of himself, his heirs and successors, and tribesmen, being desirous of confirming and strengthening
the friendly relations which have for a long time existed between the two parties, and with a view
to consolidating their respective interests—the British Government have named and appointed
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.S.I., K.C.I.E., British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , as their
Plenipotentiary, to conclude a treaty for this purpose with Abdul Aziz-bin-Abdur Rahman-bin-Faisal
Al-Saud.
The said Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox and Abdul Aziz-bin-Abdur Rahman-bin-Faisal
Al-Saud (hereafter known as " Bin Saud "), have agreed upon and concluded the following articles :
I.
The British Government do acknowledge and admit that Najd, El Hassa, Qatif and Jabail, and
their dependencies and territories, which urill he discussed and determined hereafter, and their ports on the
shores -'f the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. are the countries of Bin Saud and of his fathers before him, and do hereby
recognise the said Bin Saud as the independent Ruler thereof and absolute Chief of their tribes, and
after him his sous and descendants by inheritance ; but the selection of the individual shall be in
accordance with the nomination (i.e., by the living Ruler) of his successor ; but with the proviso that he
shall not be a person antagonistic to the British Government in any respect; such as, for example, in
regard to the terms mentioned in this treaty.
II.
In the event of [" unprovoked " omitted] aggression by any foreign Power on the territories of
the countries of the said Bin Saud and his descendants without reference to the British Government
and loithout giving her an opportunity of communicating with Bin Saud and composing the matter,
the British Government will aid Bin Saud to such extent and in such a manner as the British Govern
ment after consulting Bin Saud may consider most effective for protecting his interests and countries.
III.
Bin Saud hereby agrees and promises to refrain from entering into any correspondence, agreement,
or treaty with any foreign nation or Power, and, further, to give immediate notice to the politicai
authorities of the British Government of any attempt on the part of any other Power to interfere with
the above territories.
IV.
Bin Saud hereby undertakes that he will absolutely not cede, sell, mortgage, lease, or otherwise
dispose of the above territories or any part of them, or grant concessions within those territories to
any foreign Power or to the subjects of any foreign Power* without the consent of the British
Government.
And that he will follow her advice unreservedly provided that it be not damaging to his own interests.
V.
Bin Saud hereby undertakes to keep open within his territories the roads leading to the Holy
Places, and to protect pilgrims on their passage to and from the Holy Places.
* The words " or the subjects of any foreign Power " were accidentally omitted in the copies signed
by Sir P. Cox and Bin Saud on the 26th December, 1915. Sir P. Cox drew Bin Saud 's attention to this
omission in a letter dated the 27th December, 1915 (38086/16), and added : " I have duly written them in
the text of the original document which I am submitting to Government, and Government will consider it
in this form ; so that if the same mistake occurs in the copy with you, I trust you will add the words above
quoted."