"ملف رقم ٠٢٥٥ الحدود" [و‎‎١‎١‎٣] (٣٣١/٢٢٦)

CONFIDENTIAL .
No.51 (61/31) PERSIAN GULF RESIDENCY,
BAHRAIN,
Dated the 8th May 1948.
Sir,
I have the honour to report that the Shaikh of Abu
Dhabi has complained that a Saudi Arabian party has recently
penetrated Abu Dhabi territory as far east as Aqailah, which
is situated a few miles from the coast about 130 miles west
of Abu Dhabi (vide Hunter's map of Arabia and the Persian Gulf),
in order to collect taxes from Murra and Manasir tribesmen,
and has asked that a protest be lodged. The presence of this
party is confirmed by one of the employees of Messrs. Petroleum
Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, who met them in Abu Dhabi
territory and was told by them that they had come to collect
Ibn Baud's taxes from certain Murra tribesmen who had escaped
to that territory. He reports that the party was well equipped
with modern tents.
2. ^ The collection of taxes by Ibn Baud's men in Abu
Dhabi territory is no new matter and I enclose an extract from
a statement on this subject prepared in 1934.
3. There appears to be no doubt that Ibn Saud's party
has penetrated a long way beyond the furthest boundary claimed
by him and it is for consideration whether a protest should be
lodged. I have no strong views on the subject myself and it
may perhaps be advisable to refrain from making anything in the
nature of a formal protest until the Saudi Arabian boundary in
this area has been determined. I would suggest, however, that
His Majesty's Ambassador Jedda might, if he sees no objection,
enquire whether it is true that the Saudi Arabian party has
penetrated Abu Dhabi territory in order to collect taxes with
a view to showing that we are taking interest in the matter.
4. I am sending a copy of this despatch to His Majesty's
Ambassador Jedda.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
With great truth and respect
Your most obedient humble servant,
) ' ' ' , -
(SGD) W.R. HAY.
The Rt. Hon. Ernest Bevin, M.P.,
etc. etc. etc.
The Foreign Office,
White Hall,
London S.W.l
f