File 2182/1913 Pt 5 'Arabia Nejd: Policy Bin Saud' [‎332r] (239/308)

TREATY.
In tlie Name of God the Merciful and Compassionate.
Preamble,
The High British Government on its own part, and Abdul Aziz bin Abdut
Rahman bin Paisal Al-Saud, Euler of Najd, El Hassa, Qatif and Jubail, and
the towns and ports belonging to them, on behalf of himself, his heirs and
successors, and tribesmen, being desirous of confirming and strengthening the
friendly relations which have for a long time existed between the two parties,
and with a view to consolidating their respective interests—the British Govern
ment have named and appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.S.L,
K.C.I.E., British Eesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , as their Plenipotentiary, to
conclude a treaty for this purpose with Abdul Aziz bin Abdur Eahman bin
Paisal Al-Saud.
The said Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox and Abdul Aziz bin Abdur
Eahman bin Paisal Al-Saud, hereafter known as “ Bin Saud ” have agreed
upon and concluded the following Articles
(I)
The British Government do acknowledge and admit that Najd, A1 Hasa,
Qatif and Jubail, and their dependencies and territories, which will be discuss
ed and determined hereafter, and their ports on the shores of the Persian
Gulf are the countries of Bin Saud and of his fathers before him, and do
hereby recognise the said Bin Saud as the independent Euler thereof and
absolute Chief of their tribes, and after him his sons and descendants by in
heritance ; but the selection of the individual shall be in accordance with the
nomination {i.e., by the living Euler) of his successor; but with the proviso
that he shall not be a person antagonistic to the British Government in any
respect; such as, for example, in regard to the terms mentioned in this Treaty.
(II) •
In the event of aggression by any Poreign Power on the territories of the
countries of the said Bin Saud and his descendants without reference to the
British Government and without giving her an opportunity of communicating
with Bin Saud and composing the matter, the British Government will aid Bin
Saud to such extent and in such a manner as the British Government after
consulting Bin Saud may consider most effective for protecting his interests
and countries.
(Ill)
Bin Saud hereby agrees and promises to refrain from entering into any
correspondence, agreement, or treaty, with any Poreign Nation or Power, and
further to give immediate notice to the political authorities of the British
Government of any attempt on the part of any other Power to interfere with
the above territories.
(IV)
Bin Saud hereby undertakes that he will absolutely not cede, sell, mort
gage, lease, or otherwise dispose of the above territories or any part of them,
or grant concessions within those territories to any Eoreign Power, or to the
subjects of any Poreign Power, without the consent of the British Government.
And that he will follow her advice unreservedly provided that it be not
damaging to his own interests.
(V)
Bin Saud hereby undertakes to keep open within his territories, the roads
leading to the Holy Places, and to protect pilgrims on their passage to and
from the Holy Places.