'File XXV/2 Arabian Affairs (including Iraq). Qatar and al Hassa (Bin Saud)' [‎22v] (44/56)

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No. 24, dated Busliire, the 4th (received the 12th) January 1914.
From J. G. Lorimer, Esq., 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 The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
T 0 ^he Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, Delhi.
In continuation of my predecessor^ letter No. 4005-M. of 2nd December 1913,
No. T.-805, dated the 20th December 1913. 1 1 \ ave the honour to submit a Report by
Major 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. , Bahrain.
2. In forwarding this report to the Government of India, I would remark
that our position between Bin Saud and the Porte is somewhat difficult. On the
one hand we have recognised as belonging to Turkey the province of Hasa, which
Bin Sand at present governs as an independent ruler, and which he wishes to retain.
On the other hand, it would be imprudent to shape our action on the assumption
that Bin Saud s retention of Hasa will be permanent or indeed more than tempo-
rary. At the same time it is impossible, regard being had to the local interests
of British subjects and proteges, that we should continue to treat Hasa as a region
politically derelict and having no administrative head with whom we can deal in
matters affecting British subjects.
3. Every free bargain has two sides and must contain, if it is to be accepted,
some element of advantage to both parties. With due regard to this principle
a mutual arrangement seems not impossible, in regard to certain points, between
ourselves and Bin Saud ; but in respect of the practicability of an accommodation
between Bin Saud and the Turks, and the outlook is less promising.
4. Bin Saud is willing that British subjects should reside and do business in
Hasa. He would protect them and would, in practice at least, recognise our
right to represent their interests. It appears to me that, if our subjects who are
desirous of trading in Hasa take advantage of his present disposition, a valuable
point will have been gained by us, and that Bin Saud will himself benefit, and
will be conscious of benefiting, by the mere fact that subjects of ours whom we
trust him to protect reside in his territory. He cannot but be aware that he lays
us under an obligation by encouraging them and that we on our part will seek every
means of maintaining a situation more favourable to our people than that which
existed under the Turkish regime. British subjects who are desirous of
proceeding to Hasa are now being permitted to do so, and I am authorising 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 to enter into such correspondence with Bin Saud as
their concerns may hereafter necessitate. In this way, perhaps, one part of the
Bin Saud problem will be solved without further discussion, and in a manner making
it difficult for the Turks, should they subsequently reoccupy Hasa, to resume
their former attitude to British subjects there. To consolidate the position, I
I recommend that a Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. be at Once posted to Katif to act as medium
of communication 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 Baud’s local
governors. The Turks could hardly obtain the removal of this agent if, on recover
ing Hasa, they found him holding an established position in the province.
5. Other matters which, it seems to me, might be settled directly with Bin
Saud at th.e present time are that of his relations with the Shaikhs of Katar and
Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. and that of the control of refugees from his authority who settle
under their protection.
These questions arise from Bin Sand’s own position as an Arab Chief and do not
concern the Turks. It might be arranged with Bin Saud, on condition of his not
entering the territory of the said Shaikhs without our consent, that we should use
our influence to induce them to restrain or expel refugees whose conduct in their
chosen places of residence was shown to be injurious to Bin Saud’s legitimate
interests. A reciprocal arrangement of this nature should now, I venture to think,
be proposed to Bin Saud through 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.
6. The crux of the present negotiations is Bin Saud’s virtual request that we
should intervene between him and the Turks in order to secure to him the govern
ment of the province of Hasa on an assured, autonomous, and probably hereditary
basis. Here it seems to me that, the views of the Porte and of Bin Saud being
at bottom irreconcileable, there is small prospect of our interposing with success,
and that we should, therefore, in the interests of good relations both between our
selves and him and between ourselves and the Turks, not be too forward in our inter
position. Bin Saud is, from the Turkish point of view, a very recent and only
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