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File 2182/1913 Pt 11 'Arabia: relations with BIN SAUD Hedjaz-Nejd Dispute' [‎487r] (531/678)

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The record is made up of 1 item (336 folios). It was created in 16 Oct 1919-28 May 1920. It was written in English and Arabic. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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allowed to enter our territory or Koweit. Masabilla to be given friendly
elements only on monthly ration system on basis of actual numbers present
to prevent leakage to unfriendly elements.
“3. So long as blockade of Koweit remains in hands of Ibn Subah
declines all responsibility for leakage to enemy, and suggests either that
blockade be resumed by British or all goods for Najd be landed at Bahrein or
Hasa ports. In either case he accepts full responsibility.
“ 4. That above guarantees being given on our part and hostilities
against Ibn Rashid begun on his, we will not let him down by with
holding sinews of war as necessary. This means money.
“Having carefully considered this document, came to following con
clusions t—
“ (1) Further incursions of Sherif or Ajman ‘will' certainly lead to
widespread disturbance, and must be stopped at all costs.
“ (2) Maintenance of effective blockade h entire!} 7 in our own interests
and methods suggested were only possible alternatives.
“ (3) Above all urgently necessary involve Ibn Sand in hostilities
with Ibn Rashid without delay partly to keep his mind from
preying on other grievances and chiefly to obviate all possibility
of his combining with Ibn Rashid to attack Sherif. Latter
contingency by no means impossible if we leave him in lurch
by refusing to redress grievances and would be extremely
popular move among people.
“In these circumstances, and in view unmistakable evidences .of
increasing estrangement of Ibn Saud, and urgency of obliterating
unfavourable impression caused by recent events, have taken responsibility
of giving written undertaking in following terms, viz. :—
“ (11 We guarantee him immunity from further attack by Sherif or
Ajman and Shammar elements under our protection and to
refuse protection and mnsabilla to hostile elements.
“ (2) We will rectify blockade arrangements in some manner acceptable
to him, or if unable to do so, will not hold him responsible
for leakage of supplies.
“(3) We will see that his material resources do not suffer by reason
of any hostilities undertaken by him on our behalf.
“But I have explicitly stated above undertaking is conditional on
his fulfilling his promise to undertake hostilities at once, and on his setting
out from Riyadh within ten days from to-day.
“ This on his part he undertakes to do.
“ I have added that if Government are unwilling or unable to endorse
my guarantees or act on them shall not expect him to fulfil his pait of
bargain. Matter now at critical stage, and everything depends on
Government’s decision on this and previous telegiams. liust m}
guarantees will be favourably considered and effectively endorsed without
delay. Also that screw may be put upon Dhari and Ajman. As regards
money, in view of Turks’ reported generous treatment of Ibn Rashid, and
possibility of increased activity by him, request question of placing liberal
funds at‘my disposal be considered if really vigorous campaign be desired.
Refrain from making more detailed proposals in this respect as you already
have my considered opinions.
My comments follow.

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Part 11 concerns British policy regarding the dispute between Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, also referred to in the correspondence as Ibn Saud] and King Hussein of Hejaz [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī, King of Hejaz] over Khurma and Tarabah [Turabah]. Much of the correspondence documents the efforts of the British to persuade the two leaders to agree to meet. It is initially proposed that the two should meet at Jeddah; however, it is reported by the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, that Bin Saud refuses to meet King Hussein at Jeddah, Aden, or Cairo, and suggests a meeting at Baghdad instead. A number of other possibilities are discussed, including the following: the Secretary of State for India's proposal of a meeting of plenipotentiaries, either at Khurma or Tarabah, as an alternative to a meeting between the two leaders themselves; a suggestion by the High Commissioner, Egypt, that the two leaders meet in London; a proposal from Lord Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, that Bin Saud should be induced to meet King Hussein on board a British ship at Jeddah, or, as is later suggested, at Aden.

Also included are the following:

  • an account from Captain Norman Napier Evelyn Bray, political officer in charge of the Nejd Mission, which recounts the last days of the mission's stay in Paris, in late December 1919;
  • a report from the High Commissioner, Egypt, on his recent meeting with King Hussein, which relays the latter's views on the allocation of control of Syria to France;
  • discussion regarding the growing power and influence of Bin Saud's Akhwan [Ikhwan] forces;
  • a note on the dispute by Harry St John Bridger, in which he volunteers to induce Bin Saud to agree to a meeting at any place (outside of Hejaz) suggested by His Majesty's Government;
  • memoranda and diary entries written by the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain, Major Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, all of which discuss at length Dickson's interviews with Bin Saud at Hasa [Al Hasa] in January and February 1920;
  • extracts from a report by the British Agent, Jeddah, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edwin Vickery, which recounts his recent interviews with King Hussein and the King's son, Emir Abdullah [ʿAbdullāh bin Ḥusayn al-Hāshimī].

The item features the following principal correspondents:

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1 item (336 folios)
Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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File 2182/1913 Pt 11 'Arabia: relations with BIN SAUD Hedjaz-Nejd Dispute' [‎487r] (531/678), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/391/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100032475966.0x0000bd> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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