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Coll 6/67(4) 'Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar.' [108v] (216/843)
The record is made up of 1 file (420 folios). It was created in 12 Nov 1935-27 Sep 1937. It was written in English. 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
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Enclosure 2.
Note by Ibn Saud amplifying his Statements about \his Position in regard to
the Arab Rulers on the Persian Gidf.
(Translation.)
I HAVE spoken clearly about the historical stages in the relations between
me and the British Government, all of which have been courteous and consistently
amicable on my part, and sometimes on the part of the British. But what filled
me with misgiving, much annoyed me and affected my honour are the two following
points : —
(1) The question of the frontiers of Qatar, Oman and other principalities
of the Gulf.
(2) The question of trade and marine transport.
As regards the first point, these territories themselves, as you are aware,
were under the suzerainty of my ancestors, and until the time of my grandfather,
Faisal, paid an annual tax for the preservation of the relationship of vassal to
overlord. But in view of our desire for the continuation of our friendship with
the British Government and the said Amirs to whom we are bound by old ties,
we have recognised their positions in the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
and their principalities,
and have respected the treaties between them and the British Government.
But it never entered my head that this could be a reason for taking away a
part of our territories and annexing it to those territories at a time when every
one admits that the peace which those places enjoy is due to God and to us.
It is not reasonable that such pressure should be due to suspicion of us or
to doubt as to our intentions or our friendship, or to the accusation that we covet
a territory which is ours-. For the covetous man does not covet a mountain or
an inlet; he covets rather a densely populated country. What we care for is the
protection of our honour and the defence of the rights of our subjects and tribes.
As to the question of trade, I know that ships call at, and carry goods and
all kinds of merchandise to, ports on the
Persian Gulf
The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
which are less important
than mine, and I who count myself the oldest friend of Britain and the greatest
of the Arabs am placed at the mercy of Koweit or Bahrain; and whenever the
question is raised, it is said that it is one for the shipping companies. I did not
believe that friends could treat each other in such a cruel manner.
Praise be to God who granted me and my country more power than that of
Koweit, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, &c. Why should ships call at those places and
mine suffer deprivation in that no ships call there?
I hope you will, as you have stated, consider the situation as it is and a veil
will he drawn over the past if its mistakes can thus be corrected. Otherwise you
may inform me of the real reasons. I have summarised in this letter what I have
told you at length in my conversation.
March 23, 1937.
About this item
- Content
This file primarily concerns British policy regarding the eastern and south-eastern boundaries of Saudi Arabia, specifically those bordering Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat (i.e. the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman).
Much of the correspondence relates to British concerns that the boundaries should be demarcated prior to the commencement of any oil prospecting in the area. The file's principal correspondents are the following: His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan, succeeded by Sir Reader William Bullard); 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. (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); 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. , Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch); 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. , Muscat (Major Ralph Ponsonby Watts); the Secretary of State for the Colonies; the Secretary of State for India; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, 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. , and the Admiralty.
Matters discussed in the correspondence include the following:
- Whether the British should press King Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] for a settlement of the outstanding questions relating to the aforementioned boundaries.
- Sir Andrew Ryan's meeting with Ibn Saud and the Deputy Minister for Saudi Foreign Affairs, Fuad Bey Hamza, in Riyadh, in November 1935.
- The disputed territories of Jebel Naksh [Khashm an Nakhsh, Qatar] and Khor-al-Odeid [Khawr al ‘Udayd].
- Whether or not a territorial agreement between Ibn Saud and Qatar was concluded prior to the Anglo-Qatar Treaty of 1916.
- The intentions of Petroleum Concessions Limited regarding the development of its oil concession in Qatar.
- The line proposed by the British for the boundary between Saudi Arabia and the Aden Protectorate.
- The Kuwait blockade.
- Leading personalities in Oman.
- Details of Harry St John Bridger Philby's expedition to Shabwa [Shabwah, Yemen].
- Four meetings held between Sir Reader Bullard, George Rendel (Head of the Foreign Office's Eastern Department), and Ibn Saud, in Jedda, 20-22 March 1937.
Also included are the following:
- Copies of the minutes of meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence's Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East.
- Copies of correspondence dating from 1906, exchanged between 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. (Major Percy Zachariah Cox), the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department, and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi [Shaikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan], regarding the latter's claim to Khor-al-Odeid.
- Several maps and sketch maps depicting the proposed boundaries discussed in the correspondence.
The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (420 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 421; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 6/67(4) 'Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar.' [108v] (216/843), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2137, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100049619516.0x000013> [accessed 19 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2137
- Title
- Coll 6/67(4) 'Boundaries of South Eastern Arabia and Qatar.'
- Pages
- 108v
- Author
- Āl Sa‘ūd, ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal (xx Ibn Saud)
- Usage terms
- Public Domain