'File 8/C Philby's Mission to Ibn Sa`ud; Friction between Najd and Kuwait because of British Blockade of Land Trade' [‎50r] (97/382)

Riyadh Ap^ril 26th. 1918.
To
Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
Memo randum .
I T or ward .herewith a literal translation of the news
setter received from Kuwait by Ibn Saud, which I mentioned in my
telegram No.58 of 24’.4.18. I have contradicted everything said'
in the letter and have pointed out how grotesque it is - neverthe
less letters like this cannot but do harm and as the writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping.
professes to have obtained some of his information from recent
arrivals from Syria. Would suggest that measures be taken to
intern all known residents of enemy towns found in Kuwait.
sole object is to stir up Ibn Saud against the blockade. I have
already asked that genuine residents of NAjd be exempted from the
♦>
of‘the blockade in order that my work here may not be
prejudiced.
received here yesterday in the shape of a letter from Majid ibn
Ajil of the Abda, brother of Aqab ibn Ajil who is at Hajr with Ibn
Rashid, asking Ibn Saud for Aman.
the neighbourhood of Hail Ibn Saud has at my suggestion replied to
Majid that if he and all the Abda.Care to come and settle in the
Hasa, i.e. south of Safa, he will receive them into friendship but
otherwise he will treat them as enemies wherever met with. He has
however informed them that they wil on no account be allowed to
go to Kuwait and I request that henceforth Musabila with Kuwait be
refused to all Shammar except those accompanied by Dhari ’ s agents,
regarding whom I frave already written to P.A. Kuwait.
Majid wrote from Lina - it remains to be se n whether he
and the other Abda Shaikhs accept Ibn Saud’s -terms.
The opening sentences make it quite clear that the writers
Ample testimony of its effect on the enemy element was
As it is important .to get all- Shammar elements away from