File 2182/1913 Pt 8 'Arabia – Policy towards Bin Saud' [‎347v] (279/602)

-lb
Telegram P., No. 7300, dated the 4th (received 5th) September 1918.
From 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Baghdad,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Simla.
To the Government of India’s telegram* of the 2nd September I have
nothing to add: I entirely concur with
* serial No. 73. v j ew8 regarding arms for Ibn Saud.
Addressed to His Majesty’s Secretary of State for India; repeated to the
British High Commissioner, Egypt.
76
Telegram P., dated the 4th (received 5th) September 1918.
From—The British High Commissioner, Egypt, Bacos Ramleh,
To The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
The suggestion contained in your telegramf has been carefully considered
by me but I am strongly of opinion that
t Not received. no useful purpose would be served by
meeting and by despatch of British Commission. Issue between Bin Saud
and King Hussain as I have previously explained is effect of many years
intrigue and counter intrigue between Mecca and Riyadh for ascendancy over
tribesmen in intervening territory and is not a question of boundary ownership.
The personal jealousy of two principals and sectarian fued of Sunni and
Wahabi perversions disagree.
According to Philby the collection of religious taxes at Khurma by Ashraf
was based on practice instituted by Saud, Emir, ^ who in 1800 led Wahabi
invasion of Hedjaz. After retrogression of Wahabi tide, Sheriffial influence,
doubtless aided by Turks, spread eastward until 1910 when in a treaty between
Bin Saud and Sheriff we find former acknowledging latter’s claim over the
whole of the Ateiba tribesmen, an obviously impossible arrangement.
Ignorant of local tradition and affairs a British Commission would be
involved in sectarian disputes and a maze of tribal politics and would be
totally incapable of making effective even such opinions as transitory conditions
allowed them to form. A very serious and further objection is that the
arrival of a British Commission would gravely impair prestige and ability
of two principals to control their respective followers and stimulate native
fanaticism and hostility to foreigners. I am sure King Hussain w r ould on
^his account and with good reason oppose the despatch of a Commission.
King Hussain’s withdrawal from personal direction of affairs at Hedjaz
for period necessary to accomplish his meeting with Bin Saud at a neutral spot,
for instance at Aden, would in present circumstances be open to serious risks.
Baghdad, I imagine, would no doubt take a similar view as regards Bin Saud’s
leaving his territory. This objection would not apply to representatives
proceeding instead of the two principals but I am doubtful, as far as King
Hussain is concerned, of a representative, to enable him to arrive at any
satisfactory arrangement being given sufficient powers.
I feel sure that the recommendation contained in the final paragraph of
t serial No 62 my telegram J 1265 is only practicable
one at present though I regret having to
submit what merely seems destructive criticism.
This is with reference to your telegram,§ dated the 28th August,
§ Not received. No. 1051.
Addressed to Foreign Office ; repeated Baghdad, 1308.