'File No: E.7. Qatar & Anglo-Turkish Convention of 1913' [‎167v] (349/460)

2. The Lawrence having left Bahrain on 19th October, anchor?] •
Doha Bav about noon on the 20th; and I and Major Keyes called on Shail!!
Abdullah at 4-30. We were received by him with friendliness, and, as fa 7
1 could see, with an absence of suspicion and mistrust. This interview uf
devoted to the establishment ol cordial relations.
3. The Shaikh came on board the following day by arrangement
2 p.m . ; and, after the usual polite remarks, 1 ascertained from him that he'wa
really desirous of having intimate relations with His Majesty's Government'
that he recognised the fact that such relations must contain elements of ad'
vantage to both sides, and that lie pielcired to hear first ^hat we reoui^d of
him. I then read Clauses I and II ol our drait treaty followed by copies of
the mutual undertakings with the irucial Chiefs to which they refer, makin®
from time to time the necessary explanations. No objection was made to any
of the provisions of these latter except to Article 0 ot the General Treaty
which appeared to cause some uneasiness, and is, in fact, somewhat difficult to
explain at an early stage of negotiations with one who is a comparatively new
acquaintance. I, therefore, dropped it for the time being; and the Shaikh
accepted the remainder of the articles and undertakings, expressing his grati
tude for the promises made in return.
Clause III relating to the arms traffic was then discussed. I impressed
upon the Shaikh the important fact that all our friends among his fellow rulers
were now working with 11 is Majesty's Government for its suppression; and
described in particular the co-operation of Shaikh Mubarak; pointed out to
him that arms could no longer be obtained from Maskat; and explained
carefully the- suggested arrangements whereby he might be supplied with
arms for personal and State use. The Shaikh agreed that the trade had
practically ceased, and remarked that quite recently some Afghans had
visited the port with a view to the purchase of rifles, and had returned to
their country empty-handed. He promised to think the matter over, and
1 did not press for an immediate reply.
We then proceeded to discuss Clause IV regarding the admission of
British subjects to Katar for the purpose of trade, and I was rather surprised
to find that Shaikh Abdullah was not at all inclined to accept this.
He said that the people of Katar were still strongly anti-foreign, and
would not consent to the reception of foreign traders, and that he would be
in constant fear of trouble resulting to himseii from the bad treatment of such
persons by his people, and that the opportunity would be taken by his enemies
to place him in ditiiculties with His Majesty's Government. He assured me
that he had no personal feelings on the subject, and that his fear of the
presence of a British Agent did not in the least mean that he objected to
British guidance and control; but he showed so much distress of mind that,
after a time, 1 was obliged to leave the question with the remark that he need
not tear that His Majesty's Government would ever hold him or any other
Shaikh in treaty relations with them responsible for what he had done his best
to prevent.
Passing over Clause V, I read and explained Clause VI which presented
no difficulty. The Shaikh wished to know how Mubarak of Kuwait and Isaot'
Bahrain treated any communications which reached them from the Agents of
nationals of other Governments; and received with interest and approval
the accounts given by Major Keyes and myself in reply.
Clause \ II he was likewise disposed to accept without demur; but, in
regard to \ 111, said that, though he recognised and appreciated the advaoi-
ages ol post and telegraph oliices, the diliiculty in regard to foreigners would
untortunati ly come in there.
Hie Shaikh was by this time showing signs of fatigue, and I postponed
further discussion lor the day, having read over 10 him the remaining clausts
ol the draft treaty, saying that he now knew all we required of him, and tlw
1 hoped he would give tne question of tne admission ol British subjects furt er
consideration, as it was ditlicult to suppose that His Majesty's (joveiuiaen
"VMiuld readily recognise a true friend in one who would not allow taeir subjects
to trade in las dominions.