File 2182/1913 Pt 6 'Arabia Relations with Bin Saud' [‎148v] (305/547)

At that time we had no reason to come to terms. It is true Sheikh al Sada sent
to all and sundry certain proclamations of the Sheriff of Mecca, but we have
no further correspondence. The letter Your Excellency has now sent down is
from a Bakil Sheikh. What are your dealings with the Hashid wa Eakil as a %
whole ? These men as you are aware are merely mercenaries who will go to
the one who offers the best reward and therefore their constancy cannot be
very remarkable to any one offer.
Erom the other paper of conditions Your Excellency has enclosed it seems
that the tribe in question is not content with the bare promise of £7,000 per
mensem. On the contrary they require further assistance and this if granted
will whet their appetite to ask for more. This is but natural, but will only
delay action. I presume that you acquainted the tribe with the Government
offer.
If you can confine them to the original promise and can ensure they will
act solely against the Turks and not make the Imam of Sana their objective
unless he openly attacks you, well and good, and I await Your Excellency’s
final arrangements. This proviso of not stirring up Imam Taliya, without a
just cause, has been especially enjoined on me by the Great Government and
I cannot swerve from the very decided orders given to me.
I have addressed Your Excellency separately rc the matter of the wheels
you want for your guns and I trust I may be favoured early with your reply.
The accompaniments to your letter are returned as requested.
And greetings.
No. C.*733, dated Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the 18th July 1916.
\
From— Major-General J. M. Stewart, C.B., 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. , Aden,
To—His Excellency the Imam Yahya of Sana.
After greetings .—I trust General Waltson’s letter, dated 24th June 1916,
has duly reached Your Excellency and that you have read and duly pondered
on its contents. You are aware, oh friend, of the present situation in Arabia
and of what fortune has attended the venture of our friends the Sheriff of
Mecca and the Sayed Idrisi. Mecca and Jeddah and most of Taif are in the
hands of the Sheriff and Kunfida has fallen into the Idrisi’s bands. Medina is
beleaguered and we trust will soon be in the^ hands of the Sheriff of Mecca.
We trust, oh friend, that you will delay no longer in making up your mind
to throw off the Turkish yoke and join your brother Arabs in the act of
relieving the whole of Arabia from the incubus of Turkish rule.
We are aware, oh friend, that for your personal requirements you at
present receive a subsidy of £1,000 per mensem from the Turkish Government.
I am sure that Your Excellency would not allow a matter of personal incon
venience to interfere with your decision in so grave a matter as Arab freedom
from the Turkish rule. But our Government would not desire that those who
help us should in any way be loosers by such action and I consequently
guarantee on their behalf that, in return for your co-operation, a subsidy,
similar to that you have enjoyed from the Turks, will be paid to you by
them.
Should Your Excellency have decided to throw in your lot with the Arab
cause, I trust you will intimate me your decision in writing and your accept
ance of my Government’s present offer.
Lastly, oh friend, may I point out that the present is no time for delay.
Delays are dangerous/ Mlinds must be made up quickly and action must at
once follow decision. I trust I may be favoured with a speedy and satisfactory
reply.
May you be preserved.