Coll 6/67(1) 'Boundaries of South-Eastern Arabia and Qatar.' [‎273v] (551/794)

P. 2449/13.
P.R. to Gr. of
I., No. 2048,
4.7.13,
P. 3344/13.
P.R. to Gr. of
L, 2249,
20.7.13,
P. 3441/13.
P. 2763/13.
F.O. to I.O.,
15.7.13.
31971/13,
P. 2948/13.
P. 3082/13.
Yic. to S. of
S., 2.8.13,
P. 3083/13.
considerations of European policy, if to consolidate the power of the Central
Government in Asiatic Turkey, and if H.M. Government were to approach the
Ottoman Government, as suggested by Sir P. Cox, with a view to concluding^
direct agreements with Ibn Saud as an autonomous ruler, it would give rise to*
suspicion and might have far-reaching and regrettable effects.”
Ibn Saud and the Trucial Area 1913.
157. On 18th June the Viceroy reported that Ibn Saud had sent an envoy to
the 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 at Shargah, bearing a letter to him and one for the Sheikh
of Dabai, intimating that he had recovered without bloodshed “the ancestral
possessions of his forefathers, namely, Hasa and its dependencies, and had
established peace and public security therein.”
Overtures by Ibn Saud to H.M. Government, June 1913.
158. On 13th June 1913 Ibn Saud wrote to Sir P. Cox informing him of
the conquest of Hasa, and suggesting a friendly understanding. The following
extract from his letter is of importance because of its reference both to an earlier
British treaty with Wahabis and to the “ dependencies ” of Hasa, &c. :—
“ We beg to address Your Honour in consideration of the previous
friendship between us and you and of the still earlier treaty belonging to
the time of my grandfather, Faisal—may God forgive him-—of the period
of which 55 years have elapsed and 55 years still remain to run. I desire to
establish the same in the same manner as it existed between you and my
ancestors, and this (fact) has prompted me to make this reference. Firstly,
I am confident that there will happen nothing to your people to produce
causes which may be contrary to friendship and rules. And we have
nowadays conquered the countries of our fathers and forefathers (viz.),
El Hasa and El Katif, as well as their dependencies. ... I desire to be on
the same terms with you as existed between you and my ancestors, and I
desire that those terms should exist between me and you after them (my
ancestors).”
159. Sir Percy Cox replied (9th July 1913) that the British Government
considered it necessary to observe a strictly neutral attitude towards both sides.
No reference was made to the alleged treaties with the Amir Faisal.
Ibn Saud’s Overtures to the Turks, July 1913.
160. On. Hth July 1913 Sir P. Cox reported that an envoy from Ibn Saud
had reached Bahrein en route for Basra with telegrams to Constantinople
explaining that the Amir’s action had been forced on him in the public interest,
and that he entertained the utmost loyalty to the Sublime Porte. The Resident
urged that H.M. Government should inform Ibn Saud that we should be glad to
see him reconciled to the Turks and to assist in promoting such reconciliation.
The Porte could be informed that we had so replied. This proposal was supported
by the Government of India and 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. ; but, the Foreign Office objecting
to the suggestion that we should offer to “ assist in promoting such reconciliation,”'
it was abandoned.
Ibn Saud and Qatar; Apprehensions of the Trucial Sheikhs, July 1913.
161. On 1st August the Government of India reported the death on 17th July
of the Sheikh of Qatar, and stated that 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. , Bahrein, had
informed the Resident that while at Katif Ibn Saud had addressed the Sheikh
of Qatar and demanded the expulsion of the Turkish garrison from A1 Bidaa.
“ 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, Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , reports that Sheikhs of Dabai and Abu
Dhabi, who are of the same tribe, have had a conference, and latter, who
since the Wahabi evacuation has achieved a paramount position in Baraimi
and neighbourhood, is convinced that Ibn Saud will now turn his activities
in that direction. In this fear the two Sheikhs have decided to mobilise their
Bedouins in the Sabakhat el Matti (vide page 1200, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Gazetteer)
and take the initiative against Ibn Saud. There having been nothing
unfriendly in our reply to Ibn Saud, I [Sir P. Cox] should not imagine that
he would think it worth while to hostilize us by such action, but of course