File 87/1926 Pt 2 'Arabia: Bin Saud: Relations with H.M.G. Revision of Treaty.' [‎570r] (827/840)

height, and that its provisions were designed primarily
to accord with a military situation which had now passed
away. His own position at that time had been very
different from that in which he now found himself,
^ome of the terms of the Treaty were no longer suitable, *
and various questions of importance were not provided for
He was sincerely anxious for complete understanding and
co-operation with Great Britain and he maintained that
this could be permanently secured only by tiie conclusion
of an agreement on lines which would place his relations
with iiis Majesty’s Government on a thoroughly sound basis
4, l replied admitting the force of some of his
Highness 1 arguments, but pointed out that his lajesty^
Government could not, in any case, enter into discussions
of the nature which he suggested so long as the present
hostilities continued between Bnjd -vid the liejaz. His
Majesty’s Government had declared, ana wore observing, a
strict neutrality in regard to that conflict, and action
in the sense which he desired would not be in consonance
with t hat declaration, Moreover, it appeared that while
the situation remain^vague and undetermined no good
purpose could be served by entering into discussions with
a view to the conclusion of a conpreitensive treaty.
5, ills Highness appeared convinced by my arguments
but he requested me to transmit his views directly to his
Majesty's Govern ent and begged that, after due considera
tion, he might be favoured with the views of His Majesty’s
Government on a matter to which he attached extreme
importance.
6, 1 then asked his Highness whether he would
indicate for my guidance the main lines of the revision
for which he asked. He replied that there were three
questions wnich to him were of paramount importance.