'File 10/3 VI Qatar Oil Concession' [‎77r] (165/481)

29
Withdrawal of Turks from Qasim, September 1906.
142. Tn September 1906 inconclusive negotiations took place between the Cwngt to
Turkish Commander of Qasim and Ibn Sand, and at the end of that year most F.O., 824,
of the Turkish troops were reported to have been withdrawn from Qasim, a step 27.12.06.
which was regarded as a definite success for Ibn Saud.
Fiirther Overtures hy Ihn Saud to H.M. Government, 1906.
143. As stated above, no reply was sent to the overtures made to H.M.
Government on behalf of Ibn Saud in 1904. Further indirect approaches having
been made through various channels during 1906 with a view to ascertaining
whether H.M. Government would be prepared to give him protection at any rate by
sea to the same extent as it was accorded to the Sheikh of Koweit and other Arab
Rulers of the Gulf in the event of his driving the Turks out of Hasa and Nejd, the
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 September raised the general question of policy. Major Cox Bre. toG.
said that he was aware that " it has been a recognised principle of their (H.M. of I. 2181
Government 's) policy not to allow themselves to become involved in the tempestuous p 6 '^ 6 ^
politics of Central Arabia," but expressed the view that it might be unwise to carry '
aloofness too far. He suggested that an understanding with Ibn Saud would be of
advantage in various ways, and that if we had any intention " of establishing some
measure of friendly intercourse with the Ruler of Nejd, the present seems to be the
time for us to do so."
Attitude of H.M. Government, 1906.
144. Lord Morley, then Secretary of State for India, replied, however, that H.M.
Government maintained the view that their interests and influence should be 9 ^ Qg VlC "'
confined to the coast, and that no steps should be taken to enter into relations with
Nejd or to send agents into the interior without his previous sanction.
Further Overtures to H.M. Government, 1906.
145. Towards the end of 1906 further indirect overtures on behalf of Ibn Saud
were received through the Sheikh of Koweit and the Sheikh of Qatar. The
Resident reported that from the statements made by the latter it appeared that the
Saud " considers that the oases of Hasa and Katif were always the most profitable
possessions of his Wahabi ancestors. He is anxious to recover the two districts
and
d he proposes that a secret understanding should be arranged between the P to G -
British Government and himself under which he should be o-mntPfl Rritisdi ot 1 '
granted
British
24.11.06,
protection from Turkish assaults by sea in the event of his ever driving the Turks, p. 2719/06 -.
unaided, out of his ancestral dominions. In return for this protection the Amir 2.12.06,
is willing to bind himself to certain agreements (probably similar to those of the P- 2799/06.
Trucial Chiefs) and to accept a Political Officer to reside at his Court. . . . Ibn
vSaud is determined to make an effort to obtain possession of Hasa and Katif. He
proposes, therefore, in the first place, to apply to the Sultan for the Mutasariflik
(Governorship) of the districts, and to throw off the Turkish yoke as soon as he
considers the moment favourable, after establishing himself. If his application is
refused he will invade the districts as soon as he is ready and having captured
them will appeal openly to the British Government for protection."
Murder of Muta'ad ihn Rashid, January 1907.
146. In January 1907 Muta'ad ibn Rashid, the young Amir of Hail, who had p. 2660/07.
succeeded his father in the Principality of Jabel Shammar at Hail in September
1906, was murdered by his kinsman Sultan ibn Rashid.
Further Consideration of Policy towards Ihn Saud, 1907.
147. On 21st February 1907 the Government of India, in the light of the
Resident 's reports, again raised the question of the policy to be adopted towards
Ibn Saud. They suggested that if the Turks were really likely to disappear from
the stage and Ibn Saud to be a power in the land, "it seemed desirable that this De8p .No .28,
Chief should, when a suitable moment arrives, be led to a friendly understanding 21 - 2 07 -
with us." But on a review of the various factors in the situation, they expressed
^e opinion that no immediate response to the advances reported by the Resident
was necessary and that the answer to Ibn Sand's reiterated enquiries might be that