File 488/1920 Pt 1 ‘Arabia:- General question of subsidies to Arab Rulers.’ [‎80v] (157/163)

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Mr. Garhett pointed out that in any case vve could not engage in advance the
future Mesopotamian Government.
Sir John Tilley agreed that the most suitable occasion for reconsidering this subsidy
would be the signature of peace with Turkey.
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The Meeting was of opinion that, subject to 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. and Treasury concurrence,,
the ‘J65,OOOL already paid as subsidy to Ibn Saud should be met from the Mesopotamian
surplus, and that Ibn Sand’s subsidy should continue to be paid till the signature of
peace from current Mesopotamian revenues.
FUTURE POLICY AS TO SUBSIDIES.
Major Young observed that His Majesty’s Government were endeavouring to obtain
a “ self-denying ordinance” from other Powers as regards Arabia. They were asking for
a special position in the Peninsula on account c^f lts proximity to the Empire’s vital
maritime routes. The question was whether we could maintain that position without
expenditure in the shape of subsidies. India and His Majesty’s Government had felt up
to now that their interests justified the payment of certain subsidies, and if, as a result
of the Peace Treaty, His Majesty’s Government were to be given a special position in
the Peninsula, the case for continuing them would, if anything, be strengthened.
Sir John Tilley concurred.
In reply to a question by Mr. Phillips, Major Young considered that the appoint
ment of the British-Moslem representative at Mecca was an exactly parallel case and
amounted to an acknowledgment by the Treasury of the principle of His Majesty’s
Government’s interests in the pilgrimage question. (Mr. Phillips dissented.) The
whole question of subsidies in the Peninsula was, moreover, inextricably involved as
regards the various rulers. The relations of His Majesty’s Government with Hussein,
Ibn Saud and the Idrisi. for example, were mutually interdependent.
Mr. Phillips suggested that in spite of this it might be possible and more
satisfactory for His Majestv’s Government to back one ruler only".
Major Young agreed that this seemed more likely to be successful at first sight,
but pointed out that the Eastern Committee had discussed the question on various
occasions and had failed to arrive at a decision to concentrate on one subsidy. The
Treasury had been represented at all these discussions.
Mr. Garhett added that the question was not only one of maintaining our special
position in Arabia but went a good deal further. We w r ere the greatest Moslem Power
in the world, and it was of the highest importance to the interests of the Empire as a
whole that the pilgrim routes should be kept open. Failing this, unrest in all colonies
containing Moslems would ensue. He considered that subsidies should take, in the
future, the less offensive form of payments for services rendered, i.e.,. services in
connection with keeping open the pilgrim routes. He suggested also that a ratio
might be observed in fixing the amount of the various subsidies in the same way as had
been done by Colonel Wilson, who had suggested fixing Rashid’s subsidy at half Ibn
Sand’s.
Mr. Phillips enquired how many British subjects actually used the pilgrim routes,
and suggested that if we kept one route open—hy sea—we were really meeting our
responsibilities in the matter.
Major Young pointed out that it was not so much a question of the routes as of
the actual security of the holy' places themselves—Mecca and Medina.
Mr. Phillips asked what the probable result would be if all the subsidies were
withdrawn ?
Mr. Garhett considered that this would in all probability lead to the closing of the
pilgrim routes and thus to general unrest, not only in Arabia but in India and in our
other Moslem dependencies, as well as in those of other Powers.
Major Young observed that a revival of Turcophil propaganda might also ensue.
Moreover, in the event of a Wahabi invasion of the Hedjaz, causing dissatisfaction