File 110/1917 'Arabia: Printed Correspondence.' [‎11v] (27/616)

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Telegram P., No. 7821, dated (and received) the 13th July 1919.
From 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. , Baghdad,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
(Addressed 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. ; repeated to Cairo.)
It is improbable in the highest degree that Ibn Hashid will attack Ibn
Sand unless heavily subsidised and assured of support. He is at present by
no means in a strong position among his people and is undoubtedly afraid of
Ibn Saud.
This is with reference to Cairo tele
gram* of July 12th (13th ?) to Foreign
Office.
* Serial No. 37.
I :r
II
(Enclosure No. 1 to Serial No. 39.)
Telegram P., No. W.-668, dated the 23rd (received 24th) June 1919.
From— Colonel C. E. Wilson, Jeddah,
To—The High Commissioner, Cairo (repeated Political, Baghdad).
Please see my telegramf of 22nd instant, No. 667. Bin Saud opens his
letter by complimenting me on my re-
t semi No. 29 . covery from illness; this testifies to the
efficiency and intelligence of his sources of information.
The letter continues as followsVerily to submit to Your Excellency
that I have on arrival of your friendly letter collected leading Moslems and
consulted them regarding our case. In accordance with the result of our
deliberations I deemed it better that they should go back to their places and
prepare for pilgrimage, so as to do what is necessary in time for it and in
order to be careful to comply with the order of the Great Power our friend,
and to submit to wishes of her Great King (May His Majesty be preserved)
and to quieten the minds of the people regarding dangers of enemy attack
because the people of zone are capable of defending their country although I
have inviolated Khurma, Tarabah, as they have done up to now. Also for
fear there may be misunderstanding that we are afraid of transgression on tho
part of Hedjaz Government so long as I am there, but I depend upon God as
regards our tribes near these two places, because they are well protected
against any attack that may be placed against any of our boundaries and
also fear of false rumours to effect that cause of my presence here is to
create political dissension on frontiers of Hedjaz. My greatest desire is to
obtain the satisfaction of His Majesty’s Government. I have refrained from
taking any further action until the matter is clear to me, and so that Hedjaa
Government may prepare itself to submit for settlement the question of
boundaries of Kingdom of our fathers and ancestors. As we are bound to
His Majesty’s Government by (a) the treaties made between us, therefore
God forbid that we should have any intention except to prevent aggression
on the part of anybody against our King of Nejd and secure all hereafter
of comfort for Arabsj but now as Hedjaz Government is independent unless
Great Britain act as intermediary, I must be excused (for anything that may
happen) and from to-day onwards communications should be way of Bahrein.
As for Sheriff he is still in his Kingdom and as long as he makes no
advance 1 give my word that there is no danger of any harm from us but if
any aggressive advance against Nejd takes place from frontiers of Hedjaz, I
will not be responsible for consequences to him (King Hussain) or Hedjaz.
From this date I am leaving for my country in accordance with my above
statement.
This is all that need be said to Your Excellency.
The letter ends with the usual compliments, and bears Bin Baud’s seal.