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Coll 6/8(1) 'Printed Series: 1929 to 1938.' [‎170r] (344/1062)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (527 folios). It was created in 6 Jan 1929-15 Jan 1938. It was written in English and French. 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. .

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aggression, it would be definitely against British interests that the islands should
be" absorbed by either Saudi Arabia or Persia. King Ibn Saud has already, by
Article 6 of the Treaty of Jedda, specifically recognised the special relations of His
Majesty’s Government with the Arab States of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and is not likely
therefore to seek to annex Bahrain. Meanwhile it is one of our main objects in
our negotiations with Persia to obtain a similar recognition by Persia of our special
relations with Bahrain, etc., and the abandonment of the antiquated Persian claims
both to Bahrain and to certain other Arab islands in the Gulf. In these circums
tances it would clearly to impossible for His Majesty’s Government to acquiesce
in the incorporation of any of the smaller independent Arab States whether in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. or in Southern Arabia in a wider Arabian political combination.
9. Meanwhile in the north and west any project for Arab unity in any practical
sense of the word must come into conflict with the mandatory system in the French
Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. States and in Palestine, with all that that system implies. The French,
even if they were prepared to agree, on certain conditions, to the emancipation of
the State of Syria proper, have made it clear that they have no intention of relin
quishing their hold on the predominantly Christian State of the Lebanon, or, for the
present at any rate, on the curious non-Arab enclave of the Jebel Druse. His
Majesty’s Government are equally precluded from allowing Palestine to be absorbed
in any way in any kind of predominantly Arab union, if only in view of their deep
commitment to the policy of the Jewish national home, quite apart from their
obligations to the other non-Arab or non-Moslem Communities and interests in
Palestine proper.
10. From the point of view of practical politics, therefore, the question of Arab
unity resolves itself into the possibility of some kind of combination, providing for
the inclusion of indigenous non-Arab elements such as the Assyrians, Kurds, etc.,
between Iraq, Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and the State of Syria.
11. As regards Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , the union or combination of which with I ra T
would at first sight seem easiest, since Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan is at present a purely Arab
State and since its ruler is the brother of King Faisel, an initial difficulty is presented
bv the fact that Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan is covered by the mandate for Palestine, of which it
technically forms on integral part. It would therefore be necessary before any
effective combination between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and Iraq could , b « the
His Majesty’s Government should arrange for the release of Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan x ^
mandate Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan does not, however, at present appear to fulfil any of t
“Sons which have been laid down by the League of dtj tofome
release of a territory from the mandatory regime. , f ib e r atffin
extent fulfil these conditions a factor which might a Jetish
from the mandate is the possibility that there may at no b ® a
settlement in Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan . While there can b \ n ^f thelstabllhmf Xof
jordan the articles of the Palestine mandate which e ^ ab T “ 0 “dan
the Jewish national home, the existence of a Jewish minority “
would certainly increase the difficulties in the way of bringing the mandatoiy
regime in that territory to an end. • ,
12. As regards the State of Syria, there is no doubt 1 al of Iraj!
contemplating the possibility of its emancipation, an t^^ are g congidering the
and Arab nationalists generally, both m ra 'l V ' , t j e rulership of a single
possibility of a union of Syria and Iraq, perhaps ^der «ie ^ulem p
individual. There are, however, various difficulties and objections to P J
13. In the first place, the French is probable that the
completely. Even if Syria were to be released bom the ^ ^t ^ 0 P n the lines 0 f the
mandate would be replaced by a Franco- 3’ ni ' | cliat the Syrian portion of
Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930. The position ^“ 0 ™ of a republic or of a monar-
the new State, or confederation, whe er 1 ma ; n under predominantly French
chy, would be bound to France, and ^MTportffin would be bound to this
political and cultural influence ^ j 11 1 aqn wou ld remain under predominantly
country under the Anglo-IraqiGeatyo a situation of international rivalry
British influence. This might well lead ^ a
which would produce serious interna iona ^ ^ development than Iraq
14. Again, Syria is at present ^ larger and more flourishing.
Although its people are perhaps less vvr. , ce(i Jn any oase , it is a far mor e
and its culture and civilisation are moi
MC364FD

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Content

This volume compiles printed copies of letters, telegrams, memoranda and newspaper extracts relating to Britain's involvement across the Arabian Peninsula during the period 1929-1938. Whilst the correspondence encompasses all matters concerning British interests in the region, much of it relates to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the Kingdom of the Hejaz and Nejd (later Saudi Arabia). Matters discussed in the correspondence include the following:

  • Reports of unrest in the Hejaz.
  • Relations between Imam Yeha Hamid-Ud-Din [Yaḥyá Muḥammad Ḥamīd al-Dīn, Imam of Yemen] and Ibn Saud.
  • Reports of raids and arms trafficking on the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontier.
  • Reports of the proceedings of British naval ships in the Red Sea.
  • Details of the Akhwan [Ikhwan] revolt against Ibn Saud, including the movements of one of the revolt's leaders, Faisal Dawish [Fayṣal bin Sulṭān al-Dawīsh], and his surrender to the British in Kuwait.
  • Relations between Kuwait and Nejd.
  • Relations between Iraq and Nejd, including a proposed meeting between Ibn Saud and King Faisal [Fayṣal] of Iraq, and reports of a treaty of alliance between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
  • Objections from the Hejaz Government to Royal Air Force aircraft flying over Nejd territory.
  • The purchase of arms by the Hejaz Government from Poland.
  • Ibn Saud's annexation of Asir.
  • The death of King Hussein [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī].
  • Harry St John Bridger Philby's conversion to Islam, his mapping of Rub-al-Khali, and his reported spreading of Saudi propaganda in the Aden Protectorate.
  • The currency exchange crisis in the Hejaz-Nejd and the financial situation in the kingdom generally.
  • Reports on a survey of the water and mineral content of the Hejaz coastal area.
  • Relations between Soviet Russia and Saudi Arabia.
  • The emigration of Jews from Yemen to Palestine, via Aden.
  • British fears that Italy might harbour ambitions to annex Yemen.
  • Saudi oil concessions.
  • Italian-Saudi relations.

Prominent correspondents include the following: the British Agent (later His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires) at Jeddah; His Majesty's Minister at Jeddah; the High Commissioner for Egypt; the High Commissioner for Iraq; the High Commissioner for Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan ; 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. , Kuwait; 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. (later Chief Commissioner, and later still, Governor), Aden; 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. ; His Majesty's Ambassador to Iraq; His Majesty's Ambassador to Italy; the Secretary of State for the Colonies; the Minister (and Acting Minister) for Foreign Affairs for the Kingdom of the Hejaz and Nejd (later Saudi Arabia); Ibn Saud; King Feisal of Iraq; the Prime Minister of Iraq; various officials of the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office, the Air Ministry, and the Admiralty.

The French material in the volume consists of several items of correspondence and a copy of a treaty between France and Yemen, which was signed in April 1936.

The volume includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 volume (527 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

The items of correspondence are divided (roughly) into various sections. Each extract or item of correspondence within these sections has its own number, which is enclosed in brackets. These numbers proceed in ascending (and approximate chronological) order from left to right; however, the sections themselves proceed in reverse, from the rear to the front of the volume, in distinct groups (e.g. for 1929 numbers 1-23, which are located at folios 517-526, are followed by numbers 24-49 at folios 509-516, which are then followed by numbers 50-89 at folios 494-508, and so on).

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 529; 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.

Pagination: each section of correspondence within the volume (as described in the arrangement field) has its own pagination sequence.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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Coll 6/8(1) 'Printed Series: 1929 to 1938.' [‎170r] (344/1062), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2071, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100061765164.0x000091> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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