File 2182/1913 Pt 10 'N.W. Frontier: Proposed Russian zoological expedition' [‎253v] (98/664)

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On the other hand, the advantages seem to be considerable :
(/•)
(a.) Complete control of the Arabian littoral of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
(b.) Similar complete control of the arms traffic. • ru ^ i
! (c.) The practical exclusion of foreign Powers and influence m Cent^-^
; (d 1 The security induced by British suzerainty and ‘ Bin Saud s strong
1 control of the Bedouin tribes will give a great impetus to trade
through the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports, probably diverting a share o± what
now passes through the Red Sea poits. . . . A i •
‘ (e.) The great influence Bin Saud has over Mohammedan opinion m Arabia,
an influence likely to increase as the Turkish Empire breaks up and
the Khalifate of the Sultan is questioned, will be a British asset.
Bin Saud’s influence with all Arab tribes, and particularly with the
Northern Anazah, with whom our occupation ot Lower Mesopotamia
will bring us in close contact.
Upon receipt of Captain Shakespear’s report, Sir P. Cox telegraphed on the
16th January, 1915, to the Government of India (17000/1385/15 : No. 49) a summary
of Bin Saud’s desiderata, and made the following further suggestions.
“ Bin Saud should undertake :—
« First —To receive representative of British Government either at his
capitaUr^ea-port^or ^Uettra-territoriality for our non-Mohammedan
'' ■« Thirdly .— To abstain from waging war by sea without our consent, and to
co-operate for the suppression of piracy . , , .
“ Fourthly.—To protect pilgrim traffic passing through his territory.
“Fifthly—To levy customs dues at rates which we consider reasonable,
having regard to rate prevailing at Bahrein and Koweit.^
“Sixthly.- —To allow British merchant vessels to visit his ports.
“ Seventhly .—To agree to locate post office and possibly telegraph office at his
port when the time comes.”
“I do not include any item regarding slave trade, as that is not now a
serious difficulty, and has given us no trouble at Koweit. , , . ,,
“ Only point regarding which it seems necessary to offer comment here is the
question of protection against external aggression by land. When we invited
Bin Saud to move on Basrah, we undertook to protect him against reprisals by
Turks, so that, as far as latter are concerned, what Bin Saud now asks us to give
does not amount to much more. Apart from Turks, Central Arabia is practical y
inaccessible by land to any Power but ours, and I venture to think that we should
incur little risk by giving the desired undertaking, subject to (the) reservation
that aggression be unprovoked. . _ ^ ,. r* a
“ We have publicly declared that our object is to effect liberation of Arabs
from oppressive yoke (of) Turkey. In this case there is no question of annexation
of territory to which our allies could take exception, while Bm Sauds weight in
scale would be no mean asset to joint cause of us all. Can I possibly be authorised
to draft a treaty on above lines for negotiation by Captain Shakespeai . s a
not now have the opportunity of meeting Bin Saud myself.
“ I am obliged to give Bin Saud some reply by his messenger, who has orders
to return at once. I am sending Captain Shakespear purport of above additional
points and asking him to use his discretion in discussing them with Bm Saud. Io
Bin Saud I am replying that I hope that an instrument safeguarding his position
can be arrived at somewhat on lines indicated, and that I have telegraphed to
Government on subject, but that treaty must necessarily take a little time to
draw up.”
On the 29th January, 1915, after further correspondence with Sir P. Cox
(21633/15, Nos. 3 and 8), the Viceroy telegraphed to the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. as follows
(11837/1385/15)
“ In order to expedite settlement, Bin Saud has himself submitted memo
randum setting forth tentatively his proposals for formulation of treaty. These