File 2182/1913 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf Situation in El Katr Policy towards Bin Saud' [128r] (257/543)
The record is made up of 1 volume (269 folios). It was created in 18 Nov 1913-22 Nov 1916. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
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J [This Document is the Property;of His Britannic Majesty s Government.]
TURKEY.
[May 13.]
CONTTDENTTAL.
Section 2.
^
[21324]
No. 1.
Sir L. Mallet to Sir Edward Grey.—{Received May 13.)
(No. 319. Confidential.)
Si rj Constantinople, May 8, 1914.
I transmit herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty’s consul at Basra r
respecting the negotiations with Bin Sand.
The anxious enquiries of the new Yali of Basra respecting the relations with Bin
Saud and the objects and intentions of His Majesty’s Government in regard to him no
doubt reflect the feelings of the Turkish Government, and when Talaat Bey assures me
that he has absolute confidence in the intentions of His Majesty’s Government to abide
by the letter and spirit of the agreement of the 29th July, 1913, it is probably but an
Oriental manner of intimating that he has strong suspicions of British loyalty.
Since the date of Mr. Crow’s despatch of the 7th April Bin Saud has arrived at
Koweit, so that |it would seem that Sheikh Mubarak must have somewhat modified
his previous attitude and have decided to take some part in the negotiations between
Bin Saud and the Turkish Government, which, I imagine, it is desirable, should
succeed, unless His Majesty’s Government are desirous of acting as mediators in order
to ensure that there should be nothing in any agreement which may be made of a
nature hostile to British interests.
My reason for venturing to question the wisdom of deprecating the bestowal of a
Turkish decoration on the Sheikh at this moment was due to a desire not to give any
pretext to the Turkish Government for suspecting that His Majesty’s Government were
attempting to intervene to prevent an understanding with Bin Saud, as it occurred to
me that the object of the Porte in decorating the Sheikh at this juncture might be to
secure his good-will and assistance.
From a remark made to me by Talaat Bey, I gathered, however, that you had
already spoken to Hakki
Pasha
An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
on the subject, and that the bestowal of the decoration
would be deferred if the deputation which was to confer it had not already reached
Koweit. Should the negotiations break down there is always a risk that hostilities
might be engaged before the mediation of His Majesty’s Government, even if it had
been accepted by Turkey, could take effect. It would seem, therefore, much to be
desired that the negotiations should succeed, and, quite apart from the impression
which would be created here, in the highest degree unfortunate if they should break
down owing to any impression created in Bin Sand’s mind that His Majesty’s Govern
ment are indifferent to their success. # . .
I have been careful to explain to Talaat Bey the reasons for the interest which His
Majesty’s Government are bound to feel in the question, but even if^ I had been
successful in convincing the Minister himself, it is certain that suspicions of our
intentions must exist in the minds of many of the subordinate officials, suspicions which
will only be increased by the transmission of letters to Bin Saud, signed by the political
agent, however innocent their contents.
s I have, &c.
LOUIS MALLET.
V*
A
Enclosure in No. 1.
Consul Crow to Sir L. Mallet.
(No. 23.) _ . -7 r* i m
gj r Basra, April i , 1914.
WITH reference to your Excellency’s telegram No. 21 of the 2nd April and the
visit of Major Omar Fauzi to Koweit, I have the honour to transmit the following
extract from the diary of the
political agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
at Koweit for March, which has just reached
me. I send this information in case it does not reach your Excellency from other
sources :—
“At an interview which the
political agent
A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency.
had with the Sheikh of Koweit at
Mohammerah, Sheikh Mubarak informed him that the new Vali of Basra exchanged visits
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About this item
- Content
This volume contains part 2 of the subject 'Persia Gulf'. It primarily concerns British policy towards Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] following the latter's occupation of Ottoman-ruled El Hassa [Al Hasa]. Included in the volume are the following:
- an account of a meeting between the Bahrain Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. (Major Arthur Prescott Trevor), the Koweit [Kuwait] Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. (Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear), and Bin Saud, which took place at Ojair [Al ‘Uqayr] in December 1913;
- discussion as to how the British will form a working understanding with Bin Saud whilst also pursuing a policy of supporting and maintaining the Turkish Empire;
- a recommendation from the officiating 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. , John Gordon Lorimer, that a British Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. be posted to Katif [Al Qaţīf] to mediate between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain and Bin Saud's local governors;
- discussion (between the Government of India, His Majesty's Ambassador to Constantinople, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) as to whether or not Britain should act as a mediator between the Ottoman government and Bin Saud, in order to ensure that any arrangement made between the two parties is not hostile to British interests;
- a proposal from the British India Steam Navigation Company to run a local line of steamers between Bahrein [Bahrain], Katif, Ojair, and Katr [Qatar];
- debate over whether a British decoration should be bestowed upon Sheikh Mubarak bin Sabah [Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ] of Koweit prior to the Anglo-Turkish agreements being ratified, following reports that the Sheikh may be about to receive a Turkish decoration;
- Shakespear's account of further meetings with Bin Saud;
- reports of a settlement between the Turkish government and Bin Saud, and of Bin Saud's appointment as Vali of Nejd;
- a translated copy of the treaty between Bin Saud and the Turkish Government, dated 15 May 1914.
Correspondents include the following:
- Secretary to the Government of India's Foreign Department;
- 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, followed by John Gordon Lorimer, Captain Richard Lockington Birdwood, and Major Stuart George Knox as successive officiating residents);
- Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain (Major Arthur Prescott Trevor);
- Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kuwait (Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey);
- Viceroy of India (Charles Hardinge);
- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey);
- Foreign Office;
- His Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople (Sir Louis du Pan Mallet);
- Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India (Thomas William Holderness);
- Bin Saud;
- Hakki Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Ibrahim Hakki Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , in charge of negotiations with His Majesty's Government, concerning Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ].
The part includes a divider that gives the subject and part number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in the part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (269 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.
The subject 2182 (Persia Gulf) consists of 8 volumes: IOR/L/PS/10/384-391. The volumes are divided into 12 parts with part 1 comprising the first volume, part 2 comprising the second volume, part 3 comprising the third volume, parts 4-5 comprising the fourth volume, part 6 comprising the fifth volume, parts 7-8 comprising the sixth volume, parts 9-10 comprising the seventh volume, and parts 11-12 comprising the eighth volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 271; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 6-270; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/385
- Title
- File 2182/1913 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf Situation in El Katr Policy towards Bin Saud'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 2r:70r, 71r:77r, 78r:86r, 87r:92v, 94r:270v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence