'File XXV/2 Arabian Affairs (including Iraq). Qatar and al Hassa (Bin Saud)' [‎21r] (41/56)

Hakki Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to whom the communication was made appeared to be grati
fied rather than offended by it, and later on, apparently at the beginning of
October in thanking His Majesty's Gov
ernment for their friendly offer, he stated
that the Porte was actually in negotiation
not fail to avail itself of their help if necessity
Enclosure to Foreign Department Endorsement
No. 2627-E. A., dated 13th November 1913.
with Bin Saud and would
arose.
It may be taken for granted that the Porte will be anxious to avoid our
mediation if possible—meanwhile the meeting between Bin Saud and a British
representative will be taking place.
It is probable that in course of discussion Bin Saud, referring to Resident's
letter No. 338 of 11th September and to our desire that he should refrain from
interfering in the territory or politics of other Arab Principalities on the Coast,
and co operate with us for the suppression of piracy and the arms traffic, will
revert to his previous suggestion and enquire whether, if he gives us satisfactory
undertakings under these heads, we shall be prepared to guarantee him immu
nity from attack by sea.
Our recent warning to the Porte that they would not he allowed to use
Bahrain as a base for attacking Bin Saud, amounts indirectly and practically
to a partial substitute for such a guarantee, and if Bin Saud makes a bargain
with the Turks by which he is confirmed or left in his present de facto position
and if we can also reach an understanding witn him, with the cognizance of the
Porte, providirg for ;
(i) Non-interference in territory or politics of other Arab Principalities
in the Gulf including Katar.
(ii) Co-operation for preservation of Maritime Truce and suppression of
piracy.
(iii) Co-operation for suppression of the illicit arms traffic.
(iv) Admission of British Indian traders to Katif as of old, and accept
ance if necessary of a Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Agent to look after them,
it is possible that His MajestyGovernment might see their way, especi
ally in view of the fact that Bin Sand's oo-operatiou in suppression of arms
traffic prevents his arming himself, and of the practical impossibility of the
Turks putting troops into Katif without using Bahrain to obtain an undertak
ing from them not to take hostile action by sea against the coast left in Bin
Saud’s control without a previous exchange of views witli us,the result of which
would probably be that we should be able to compose the quarrel.
Lastly, it is possible that the question of Katar and the status of Bin
Thani may come up in course of the discussion. In this connection I think it
will be well if the text of a portion of the artk^e of the Anglo-Turkish Conven
tion relating to Katar is translated to Bin Saud :—
“ The Imperial Ottoman Government having renounced all claims concern
ing the Peninsula of El Katar, it is agreed between the two Governments that
the said Peninsula shall, as in the past be governed by Shaikh Jasim bin Thani
and his successors. His Britannic Majesty’s Government declares that it will
not permit the Shaikh of Bahrain to interfere in the internal affairs of El
Katar nor to encroach upon the autonomv of the country nor to annex
it”.
It might he added that as the result of this agreement the present Turkish
garrison will be withdrawn in due course.
Dated 22nd November 1913 (=22nd Zilhijjeh 1381).
From—L ieutenant-Colonel Sie Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., 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. ,
To —Amir Abdul Aziz bin Abdur Rahman bin Faisal al-Saud.
After greeting and enquiries after your health.
I beg to inform you in continuation of my letter dated 26th Zilqadeh that,
thinking that it would not^be possible for an answer for you to reach me at