File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [‎86v] (172/426)

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t limrp to-dav been given by Sheikh of Mohammerah another letter which
was received from Bin Sand dated December 10th in which he again intercedes
In beS of Sewid vouches for sincerity of Seyyid’s desires to serve His
Maiesty s Government and says he will endorse any understanding that may
he arrived at between Seyyid and ourselves.
A lengthy letter addressed to me from Seyyid accompanied the above com-
munication. , , , -
In this letter Seyyid endeavours to explain his conduct and assures me of
his desire to serve us and of his ability to do so. _ .
In the reply which I propose to send them I am informing them that
when they get within reach I shall be prepared to interview both Bin Saud and
Seyyid together in hope of arriving at results which will meet the wishes a
concerned.
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Telegram P. ; No. 191-D.S., dated the 23rd December 1914.
Prom—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department,
To—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. .
Bin Saud and Seyyid Talib Bey. Please refer to your telegram of 20th
instant, No. 109-B. Government of India approve the action proposed by you.
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Telegram P., dated the 23rd December 1914.
T rom His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign and Political Department),
To—His Majesty's Secretary of State for India.
Seyyid Talib and Bin Saud. Please refer to my telegram dated Decem
ber 18th. Following telegram received from Sir P. Cox, dated December
20 th:— Beqins. In answer to Bin Sand’s first letter * * * j
* * * * meet the wishes of all concerned.
Ends. We have informed Cox that we approve of the action taken by him.
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Teleoram P., No. 116-B., dated (and received) the 26th December 1914.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sie P. Z. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., 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. ,
To The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment, Delhi.
Please refer to Foreign and Political Department’s telegram No. D. S.-191,
regarding Seyyid Talib. I have sent a reply in the sense indicated. think
we must contemplate allowing Seyyid Talib to return to Basrah, in view of
strong advocacy in his behalf by Bin Saud, Koweit and Mohammerah, provided
I am & satisfied after the interview that he is really prepared to serve us and
has abandoned his extravagant ambitions. If he comes here and proves
troublesome we can always deport him, but on the other hand he may become a
considerable nuisance to us as a wandering malcontent if we altogether dis
appoint him now.
Frimd facie I am disposed to the belief that should he prove sufficiently
amenable the best course to adopt would be to employ Seyyid Talib’s services
as a sort of Political Attache to myself to begin with, especially for^ negotia
tions with those tribal elements as regards whom he is known to have influence.
Under this arrangement we should detach him from affairs of Haufea, and we
should be able to put his sincerity to the test •while keeping a close watch on