Coll 6/21(1) 'Hejaz-Nejd: Relations with H.M.G.: Hejaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah.' [‎139v] (289/914)

Mr. Rendel drew attention to the fact that the first two points which had
been mentioned, i.e., the question of slavery and that of the Akaba-Maan frontier
were not, m fact, dealt with in the text of the Treaty of Jedda, but in exchanges
of notes signed at the time of the conclusion of the treaty, but, in fact, quite
independent of it. These two questions, whatever might be decided about them
need not therefore affect the future of the treaty. As regards the question of
the relations between Ibn Saud and the Arab rulers of the Gulf, which was dealt
with m a general way in article 6 of the Treaty of Jedda, he considered that
any more elaborate arrangements, which it might be necessary or desirable to
make to govern future relations between Ibn Saud and the rulers of South-Eastern
Arabia, would normally fall to be discussed in connexion with any arrangements
that might be made regarding the south-eastern frontiers of Saudi Arabia He
thought he ought perhaps to mention at this point that the Sultan of Muscat
was more completely independent than the Trucial sheikhs, and that it might
therefore be necessary for him to be brought in as a separate party to any eventual
settlement He repeated, however, that the whole of this question seemed to him
to tall to be dealt with together with that of the frontier.
As legards the question of the prevailing language of any new agreement he
said that this seemed to him to be a point of form which should not be allowed
to interfere with the political issues involved. In point of fact, the departure
from precedent which had been agreed to in the case of the recent treaty with
the Yemen was due to the unique circumstance that the Yemen was so out of
touch with civilisation elsewhere that no one could be found in that eountrv
with any adequate knowledge of any European language. Unique conditions
requiied unique treatment. Saudi Arabia was in a very different position
i? l 30 ^’ ] ll0 ^ ev ® r ’ m volved rather complicated questions of precedent &c and
had better be dealt with quite independently of the political issues.
Mr. Rendel then proceeded to deal with the question of slavery He explained
that this question was one of great importance, on which public sentiment in
this country was extremely strong. England had played a very remarkable
part in the abolition of the institution of slavery, and public opinion here would
never tolerate any step which might be regarded as a step in the wrong direction
If any new arrangements were to be made on this point, therefore, it must be
W te if ea V ha u f f eir ef l e f WOuld be t0 hasten and not to retard the inevitable
and ultimate abolition of slavery as an institution. He felt sure that Fuad Eev
and indeed King Ibn Saud hnnself, were sufficiently enlightened to realse S
iUnyUunTrvTbnf U b tl0n h as fu " da t mentall y and was doomed to extinction
the ifatffins nf th (f hope h make true progress and to play a worthy part among
the nations of the world He could say categorically, therefore; that Hi!
Majesty s Government would not be able to agree to any new arrangement which
did not fit m with these principles. The question was of such imp“ce"
f could not in any case do more than hear and take note of any proposals which
Fuad Bey might wish to make. If, howeyer. King Ibn Sau5 should wS to
propose some arrangement the effect of which would be not to retard but to
accelerate the abolition or at any rate the reduction of slavery he felt sure it
the U matter eXamin8<1 Wlth ^ possible consideration for the King’s position in
slaves cefs^tot^mnn^ed 11 "ru S q Ve g WC ! l ; ld sooner or later ceas e when
A At, c • i 6 im P or l ,ed - King ibn Saud could, however proceed no further
than the social and economic state of his kingdom would allow Furth!! he
had to make allowances for the fact that Islamic law permitted slavery Stem
might nevertheless, be taken to limit the number of slaves in such a wav that an
slavery HnihhAoU Umber TA eventuall y lea d to the total extinction of
slavery. He alluded once again to the recent Anglo-Yemeni treaty spttEmpni
intoIiiAerritorv H mmM ^ ndertak f n f no y to Aw the imporLtTon of Tfes
taking of that naturAfd ^ OSSlble f or Km S Ibn Saud to give some under-
those Slaves wtwAalrLdUnlaudrA/aJaf^ St6PS t0 the ‘ 0t ° f
Mr. Rendel said that it would of pourqp Q ~
Kino- Thn Sanr! r-nnOi i y course, make a great difference if
0 ibn baud could take any such steps within his own dominions.
AparAfromTinT’fUs^d- Am T’ 6 great difficulties attending such action.
^ ° " ba ‘ K * s cMiculties with his own public opinion, it was