'XXII/17 Boundary between Koweit & Katif Territory' [‎33r] (67/78)

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CONFIDENTIAL
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No. C. Q.-52, dated Bushire, the 21st July (received 3rd August) 1914.
From— Major S. G. Knox, C I.E., 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,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
In amplification of my telegram No. 812, dated 21st July 1914 to your
address I have the honour to forward herewith the promised draft agreement
and notification which I propose when duly authorised by Government to do so,
to endeavour to obtain from Shaikh Abdullah bin Jasim bin Thani. 1 he draft
has been prepared from the material at my disposal in Sir Percy Cox’s despatch to
the Government of India dated 22nd June 1913 on this subject and Government
of India telegram dated 1 ith September 1913 to the Marquess of Crewe together
with the considerable light, thrown on the attitude and intentions of the A 1 Thani
family by Sir Percy Cox’s earlier despatch to the Secretary to the Government of
India in the Foreign Department, No. 755, dated 2nd March 19<3.
2. It appears to me to be a matter for considerarion on the spot whether
the Treaty should be made with the natural head of the family only, Shaikh
Abdullah bin Jasim bin Thani or whether the other sons of old Shaikh Jasim should
sign also. It would no doubt be preferable to deal with one man, if only to pre
vent family squabbles in regard to the distribution of the subsidy l propose
should be granted, but the local situation may render this unsatisfactory. Some
latitude should also, I venture to submit, be given to me in regard to the amount
of the subsidy and possibly with regard to the question of the settlement of a
compassionate allowance to Salih al Mana, the Qatar owner of the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. , men
tioned in Foreign Department telegram No. S-497 dated 26th August to the
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. , in case that question is raised.
3. It will be noted that the draft agreement falls naturally into three por
tions, of which the <st and second must be secured, if we are to have anything
tangible from the Shaikh of Qatar in the way of a Treaty. The third portion
contains several clauses that might be dropped if the Shaikh objected to them.
I have enclosed these portions in brackets. It would howev* r seem a pity net to
try and obtain them if possible, and 1 do not imagine that the Shaikh will make
difficulties over what will appear to him to be comparative trifles in respect of the
to him serious obligations of stopping the arms traffic, slavery clauses and receiv
ing a British Agent.
Draft Agreement between the British Government and Shaikh Abdulla bin
Jasim bin Thani, Shaikh of Qatar.
I, Shaikh Abdulla bin Jasim bin 1 hani, undertake that I will, as do the
friendly Arab Shaikhs ol Abu Dthabi, Debai, Ajman, Ras-ui-Khaima and Umm-
al-Qawain, co-operate with the High British Government in the suppression of the
slave trade, piracy, and the Arms Traffic. To this end, Major Knox, Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , has favoured me with a printed copy of the
Treaties and engagements, entered into between the Shaikhs above mentioned and
the High British Government and I hereby declare that I accept and w 11 abide
by each and all of the obligations imposed on the aforesaid Shaikhs by those
Treaties and engagements aforesaid and will observe the same faithfully.
On the other hand, the British Government undertakes that I and my sub
jects and my and their vessels shall receive all the immunities, privileges and ad
vantages that are conferred on the friendly Shaikhs, their subjects and their
vessels. In token whereof, Major Knox has affixed his signature with the date
thereof to each and everyone of the aforesaid Treaties and Engagements in the
copy granted to me and I have also affixed my signature and seal with the date
thereof to each and everyone of the aforesaid Treaties and Engagements n two
other printed copies of the same Treaties and Engagements that it may not be
hidden.
And, in particular, I, Shaikh Abdulla, have further published a proclamation,
forbidding the import of Arms into my territories of Qatar and all its ports and
islands. It is understood, however, that the British Government will arrange to
grant me facilities to purchase and import, from the Masqat Arms Warehouse
or such other place as the British Government may approve, for my personal use