'The Seven Independent Arabian States [Yemen, ‘Asir, Hijaz, Najd, Kuwait, Jabal Shammar and al-Jawf]' [‎322v] (644/680)

12
Without success he had endeavoured to enlist the support of the Indian Govern
ment by offering a renewal of the declaration made in 1866 by his uncle, the
Emir Abdullah, to His Majesty's Government regarding British interests in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .( 8 ) But he was soon to have his opportunity for conquest.
At a time when Turkey had her hands full with the Balkan War, and the
Emirate of Hail was enfeebled by the dissensions of the Rashid family, some of
Ibn Saud's rebellious relatives were enjoying friendly refuge in Hasa territory.
They were said, moreover, to be preparing an attack against him. Here were
both opportunity and reasonable excuse for prompt action by the Emir of Nejd.
Early in 1913 he marched into Hasa, captured Hofuf on the 5th May, and on the
15th May compelled the Turkish garrison of Qatif, the chief seaport, to surrender.
The Governor and garrison he allowed to return to Ottoman territory by way of
Oqair and Qatar.
At the same time His Majesty's Government were negotiating a convention
with the Ottoman Government regarding the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and adjacent terri
tories. Little was known about the inland Emirate of Nejd, which had had no
direct contact with the Gulf and British officials for many years. That it was
an Emirate capable of over-running and permanently holding a Turkish province,
and that its ruler was really a figure of outstanding importance in Arabian
politics, were facts still to be recognised. In negotiating the convention, there
fore, His Majesty's Government attached very little importance to Nejd and its
Emir. The convention was signed on the 29th July, 1913. The eleventh
article of this instrument defined the "Ottoman Sanjak of Nejd" in such a
way that it was made to include not only the coast-line and Province of Hasa, but
Central Nejd as well. It thus implied that the Emir was an Ottoman subject
and his action against the Turks nothing but rebellion. Having committed
themselves to these views, His Majesty's Government were placed in a difficult
position when the Emir, unrecognised by the Turks, maintained himself as
de facto ruler of Hasa and 300 miles of the Gulf coast-line and made overtures
to the Indian Government. Whatever his status in theory. His Majesty's
Government could not avoid having direct relations with a ruler of this weight
who held so much of the Gulf coast.
Acting under instructions from the British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
{Sir Percy Cox), the British Political Agents at Koweit and Bahrein, the former
being Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, I.A., went to Oqair, where they conferred
with Ibn Saud on the 15th and 16th December, 1913, He showed much friendli
ness, invited His Majesty's Government to keep the peace on the coast and
revealed the terms the Turks were endeavouring to impose on him. These terms
included the readmission of Turkish garrisons; that all communications from
foreign Poweis or their agents should be handed over to and dealt with by the
Turks; the exclusion of foreigners and their agents from the province, and no
concessions to foreigners for railways or motor-car services. In effect, Ibn Saud
now desired British mediation.
In a memorandum of the 9th March, 1914. His Majesty's Government
explained their difficulties m regard to Ibn Saud to the Turkish Government
entered a protest against the last three of the Turkish conditions above cited and
defined what they themselves required of Ibn Saud. Their requirements included
no interference with other Arab principalities in the Gulf; co-operation in main
taining the maritime truce in the Gulf for the suppression of piracy • co-operation
in suppressing arms traffic; free admission of British traders to Qatif
Meanwhile negotiations between the Turks and Ibn Saud continued and on
the 15th May, 1914, the Emir signed a treaty with the Vali of Basra. It placed
the Vilayet of Nejd in charge of Ibn Saud for life, with succession to his
descendants by Imperial firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). ; it readmitted Turkish troops to the seaports of
Hasa; it provided for the Turkish flag being flown and forbade the Emir to take
part in foreign affairs or to grant concessions to foreigners. It also required the
Emir to aid 1 urkey in war when requested by the Imperial Government. In June
the Emir accepted the title of " Vali of Nejd and Hasa," but is said not to have
regarded it seriously.
From the signing of the Anglo-Turkish convention on the 29th July 1913 to
the outbreak ot war between the signatories on the 31st October 1914 His
Majesty s Government discouraged the advances which Ibn Saud made to them.
( 8 ) See Aitchison, volume XI, p. 206.