File 87/1926 Pt 1 'Arabia: Bin Saud; Title; Recognition as King of the Hedjaz' [‎131v] (256/306)

Government* s declared policy of non-interference in
matters of religious concern to Islam to witiihold
recognition-until at any rate recognition has
"been granted "by some yosiem authority .
There is the more reason for waiting for a
lead from Moslems in that Ihn Baud’s recent action in
assuming the title, appears hardly to he on all fours
with the declaration of his intentions which he made
to the heads of Moslem states, organisations etc on
ITovemher 6th last# It hardly seems to he for His
Tr ajesty’s Government to recognise him in a position whi^h
conflicts, to outward seeming, with the declaration
made to the leaders of the Moslem world, till the
latter have given some sign of acquiescence in the
change of programme.
To refuse jie jure recognition might he
regarded, as ,r r MVakely’ s note of 18th January points
out, as involving some form of intecfarence in the Hejaz;
hut to delay according it, till, at any rate we are
asked more directly than we have been does not seem
to involve any interference. But if His Majesty’s
Government delay recognition, others - notably the
very active Bolshevik Consul at Jeddah, and probably
the Italians - may seek to get a footing in Ihn Baud’s
favour by being prompt with their expression of
recognition. It will no doubt be necessary to address
Ton Baud officially in the near future on some
question or other, and difficult to do so without
either giving offence or, by implication, according
recognition of his new title. If it can be done, the
best course would seemto be to explain to Ibn Baud
His Majesty’s Government’s dilemna.. and desire to wait
for a lead from a Tr oslem State. This he might then take!
steps