'File 10/3 VI Qatar Oil Concession' [‎84r] (179/481)

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interference; and in July 1934 that Ibn Saud had no agent at Baraimi, although Buahire
,: .gkat gatherers sometimes went as far East as this pomt, ^ where, howeve , g71
«• do not press for fixed rates, but take what is given to them. 15.7.34,
' Vhe Resident stated that the Awamir and Manasir had for the last four p z. 4860/
„ r L years paid zakat to Ibn Saud (having at an earlier-stage paid it to 34.
\bu Dhabi). No zakat was paid him by the 1 rucial Sheikhs.
209 The supplementary treaty envisaged by Article V IT oi the I reaty of
^ December 1915 (para. 194 above) was never, m fact, concluded, nor was
anv supplementary agreement entered into with Ibn Saud on the matters then
under discussion, with the exception of the agreement regarding the boundaries
of Koweit referred to in paragraph 198. I he treaty of 1915 held the fiel
until 1927.
T he T reaty of J edda , 1927.
nO In that year, after lengthy negotiations, a fresh treaty was concluded Aitch XII,
I with Ibn Saud at Jedda on 20th May. H.M. Government, concerned by the
1 ► activities of the Amir of Hasa, to which reference is made in paras 201-207,
decided to aim at the embodiment in any new treaty of the provisions of Article V I
of the Treaty of 1915, binding Ibn Saud to respect the position of the Arab
Sheikhdoms in alliance with H.M. Government, despite the fact that Ibn Saud
had since the date of that treaty grown greatly both m strength and m
international stature. They accordingly included that Article as Article VI m a
new draft treaty, acceptance of which by Ibn Saud their negotiators weie o
endeavour to secure.
211. The instructions to the negotiators remarked that the draft reproduced l.O. Desp.
"the provisions of Article VI of the treaty of 1916 save that no reference is ^
made to the question of determining the limits of the territory mentioned, p. 4 oo3/26.
HM Government have given careful consideration to the question whetner
Ibn Saud should be invited to refrain from aggression on the Rulers of the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Coast. It appeared to them doubtful whether in practice such an
engagement would effectively deter Ibn Saud ii he were determined to absoib
some petty neighbouring Arab State. Moreover, H.M. Government did not wish
to commit themselves to recognise the extent of Ibn baud s domains oi to piotect
territories outside those domains,-but would have preferred to lemain fiee to
take what action they considered necessary in each particular case, ha\ ing i egard
to the precise nature of their relations with the principality concerned and to
other relevant circumstances." In view, • however, of the recent instances of
interference by the Amir of Hasa, referred to in paragraphs 201—207 above,
H.M. Government " came to the conclusion that ii Ibn Saud were not asked to
reassume the obligation imposed upon him by Article VI of the treat} of 1910,
he might infer that they would not oppose any interference by him with the
integrity of the Rulers in question and would thus be encouraged to extend his
f i influence in South-East Arabia. ... If, however, Ibn Saud should finally prove
unwillmg to agree to reassume the obligation in the new treaty, you should inform
him that H.M^Government hold themselves free to take what action they consider
necessary in particular cases."
212. Ibn Saud raised no objection to the draft Article, subject to the ®^® onto
substitution of the words " maintain friendly relations with for the words y q ^ 6.6.27,
to refrain from all aggression or interference with, and the omission ot the p. 3269/27.
words " or under the protection of the Government of His Britannic Majesty." Jedda to
His grounds were that the earlier wording was not compatible with his dignity ^127
^ an independent Ruler, and more particularly that the term "interference"
seemed to him to be capable of too wide an interpretation. The terms of the
Article as finally agreed were as follows :—
" His Majesty the King of the Hedjaz and of Nejd and its Dependencies
undertakes to maintain friendly and peaceful relations with the territories
of Koweit and Bahrain, and with the Sheikhs of Qatar and the Oman Coast
who are in special treaty relations with His Britannic Majesty s
Government."
3076 M
P. 494/27.
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