File 2182/1913 Pt 8 'Arabia – Policy towards Bin Saud' [‎397r] (379/602)

Minute Pap
1'vom Political. Baglulad, 17th A ugust 191S.
(hepealed to Foreign and High Commissioner, Cairo.)
(Received 19th.) (ZT,
Secretary of States telegram dated 15th August (received
a ei ( espatc i of my telegrams Nos. 6<35 and 6730). Action will be taken
thereon forthwith. As regards supply of munitions to Bin Sand following
turtnei explanation is necessary Arms and ammunition sanctioned in
secretary o± State s telegram 20tli March were sent to Koweit 10th April
trom Basra ; owing to disturbed state of Koweit they were returned to Basra
Iftl J 6 CUSt °^ y an ^ not handecl to Bin Saud’s agent at Koweit till
• ioio il,)y Wr0t ? undei ' date July saying 150 boxes of ammunition sent
in 1910 were unfit for use and requested replacement. This was sanctioned
oy General Headquarters on 19th July. On 15th July he wrote that number
o boxes involved was 250, A further 100 boxes were at once sanctioned by
General Headquarters in replacement. Philby added : “ The (? 1,000) rifles
recently arrived are also subject to unfavourable criticism. Regret I am not
sufficiently expert in matter of arms to pronounce on such criticisms but
request either (1) that I be given expert assurance that rifles are for all
practical puiposes good and serviceable; or (2) that an equal number of
good and serviceable weapons be issued in exchange, preferably Enfield
carbines. Comparison of rifles issued by us to (?Sherif) and by Turks
10 Il)n Rashid creates dissatisfaction at palming off inferior weapons on
Nejd. Regret am personally partly responsible for selection of present
nfles, but plead lack of expert knowledge. So far as I remember was
assuied by Ordnance that rifles were serviceable. Matter urgent and beg
treatment on generous lines.”
The rifles in question were *303 Winchester rifles and were reported
quite serviceable by Ordnance. They are identical with those issued to
other Chiefs in Gulf and South Persia, but are doubtless inferior to those
issued in Hedjaz or by Turks.
_ Philby now writes under date 1st August:—“ 1,000 rifles now received.
Bin Sand is grievously disappointed at having such wretched weapons
palmed off on him. I accept responsibility for mistake made in circumstances
already explained, but beg that no time be lost in replacing them with really
serviceable rifles selected b} 7 responsible expert. Present consignment will
be returned if desired. Arabs too fastidious to use them at any price.
Enfield carbines or Mauser preferred.”
In the circumstances I think we should now send 1000*303 short rifles,
not in replacement of former consignment but in addition thereto, and
150,000 rounds. This quantity appears to me to be the minimum necessary
to retain Bin Sand’s personal goodwill and authority.
From Secretary of State to Viceroy, Foreign Department,
13th September 1918.
(Repeated to Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.)
Foreign Secret. Your telegram of 2nd September and connected
correspondence. His Majesty’s Government have had whole question under
further careful consideration. Military authorities here think it desirable
in present military situation that Bin Sand should be kept as quiet as
possible, and should be restrained if possible from military activity'or
aggressive action in any direction. For this reason they _ are against
increasing his armed strength or encouraging him to attack Bin Rashid at
present juncture. This view is strongly supported by General Officer
Commanding, Egypt, on military grounds, and is accepted by His Majesty’s
Government) We appreciate force of Philby’s plea for offensive against
Hail as furnishing Bin Sand with diversion desiderated in my telegram of
2nd August, but apart from fact that capture of Hail might m itself
precipitate rupture with King Husain, we consider that balance of advantage
lies in policy of marking time as recommended by military authorities. In
the circumstances we cannot for present modify decision not to supply^
1,000 short rifles. Philby should explain to Bin Saud that His Majesty’s
Government, while much concerned to learn that rifles already supplied do
not give satisfaction, regret^ that the}’ do not at present see their way to
replace them. They will, however, bear Bin Saud’s requirements in mind,
and may be able to meet him to some extent at a later date. Question of.
withholding 100 rifles sanctioned in my telegram of 28th August is left to
Your Excellency’s discretion.
(12,975). Wt. P148—38. 3000. 12/17. S.J.F.&Co.