File 2182/1913 Pt 10 'N.W. Frontier: Proposed Russian zoological expedition' [‎291r] (173/664)

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Kino Hussein vY;as fully occupied at the time with the; war against the Turks and
miscalculating the strength of the revolt, twice sent a hopelessly inadequate force to put
it down. Both were defeated, and, owing to our insistence, King Hussein remained on
the defensive, and no further attacks were made by him.
' , t 12 ' , Ib ’ 1 Saud> see \ n S Khalid had established himself (and undoubtedly
the two had corresponded and arrived at an understanding), laid claim to Khurma; he
now lays claim to luraba and should the Emir and a sufficient number of the
inhabitants of Tad join the Akhwan movement, a serious claim to that town would not
be unexpected.
tti • 0 A n L° S , U ? ai ^ heikhs (Misharidbn-Nasir) came to Jeddah last month with
+1 17 • H6 . s , t f tes th f t trib f has always belonged to the Hedjaz, and been
n er the Emirs of Mecca; he himself has left the country because of his aversion to
e Akhwan seek and his tribesmen have become Akhwan bv force of circumstances; an
Arab strongly objects to leaving his own country, and as remaining entails sudden
death or an outward profession of the Akhwan faith, it is not surprising that the latter
is the course usually taken. &
feel it my duty to again emphasise the fact that it is impossible for
Kmg Elussem to accept arbitration on the question of the ownership of Khurma. If
lie did his prestige would suffer a very severe blow, while Ibn Saud’s would be
correspondingly increased.*
Should His Majesty’s Government insist on the ownership of Khurma being made
a subject lor arbitration I have little doubt (Emir Abdulla ami others have none) that
King Hussein would abdicate, a course which would almost certainly be followed by
genera anarchy m the Hedjaz; Emir Abdulla, the Grand Cadi of Mecca, and all other
notables 1 nave consulted are convinced on this point.
I maintain that it is common knowledge in Central Arabia that Khurma belono-s to
the J-iedjaz, and if its ownership is arbitrated upon by His Majesty’s Government
Akhwan shares would certainly boom.
14. King Hussein has times innumerable warned us of the dangers of the Akhwan
movement ; both the Idnssi and ibn Rashid are beginning to realise and fear them, and
ot i appear wdling to co-operate with King Hussein in preventing further infiltration
o Akhwan propaganda into their countries. Indications of a growing nervousness in
oweit and Iraq are also not wanting (see recent reports circulated by Bagdad).
Id. In our own interests the only course open to His Majesty’s Government is to
adhere strictly to their frequently-expressed decision that they regard Khuima as being
vMthm the dominion of King Hussein; any other course is fraught with grave daimer
to Britisn interests. » & &
16. With regard to the fixing of the Hedjaz-Kejd boundary, it will, in my opinion
be many years before any Boundary Commission could work on the ground, and at any
time tiie erection of boundary marks Would be a useless expenditure.
, u aieetyig between duly authorised representatives of each side should be arranged
to be held at Cairo Koweit, or some suitable place p an impartial British official with a
/ 10V \ 6 hr at • rclb | c ’ ^ ommander Hogarth, C.M.G., would be appointed
arbitrator by His Majesty s Government with or without assistants and decide on the
tuture boundary.
• r ^ 1 an( ^ 1 tbe Emir Abdulla were the representatives at such a meeting I am
arrived at ° t iere W ° Uld ^ a - g0 ° d chance of ai] amica ble agreement being
17. The decision as to.the line of action to he taken by His Majesty’s Government
should not be delayed.
^ f Q -mm WILSON, Colonel.
August S, 1919.