ملف رقم ٢١٨٢ لسنة ١٩١٣ الجزء ١١ " الجزيرة العربية: العلاقات مع ابن سعود والنزاع على منطقتي نجد والحجاز" [و‎‎٣‎٩‎٤] (٦٧٨/٣٤٢)

' (P 902)
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 28th January 1920.
(Repeated to Cairo. Copy by post to India.)
(Received 3rd February, 2 p.m.)
3^3
my telegram of 24th January, 1082.
Nejd mission, which is now in Bombay, should reach Hasa about 20th February.
Llntil Bin Sand has conferred with mission and has seen report of the proceedings
to which reference is made in draft message to Bin Saud, it is unlikely he will feel
able to answer latter, and suspicion may be aroused if we press for a reply previous
to the return of mission.
I therefore propose, subject to your approval, to await arrival of mission and
news as to nature of communication referred to by Bin Saud in his letter of 15th
January before forwarding to him the message ordered in your telegram of 24th
January.
Secondly. I do not think that Bin Saud will consent to proceed to Jeddah by
land, and I doubt if it is expedient on general grounds to ask him to do so. He
would certainly not venture there without a large personal escort, and in the present
state of religious tension the result of any untoward incident might be very grave.
The intention of (? journey) might, moreover, be widely misunderstood.
Thirdly. Should he not consent to proceed to Jeddah by land, two courses
appear possible.
(1) To ask King Hussein to agree to the meeting in the neighbourhood of Taif,
Ashairah or Tarabah.
(2) To ask Bin Sand to visit King Hussein at Jeddah by sea, and to provide him
with a naval or Royal Indian Marine vessel for the purpose.
I shall be glad to know whether the latter course would receive approval of His
Majesty’s Government.
The naval commander East India Squadron will be in Baghdad on 10th February,
and I could discuss details with him if desired.
Latter course would clinch matters, and would ensure that the two parties met.
Whether Bin Saud would agree to do so or not, however, is very doubtful.
I ourthly. In view of above considerations, 1 recommend that, unless journev
by sea is approved, no reference be made to the place of meeting in communication
made to Bin Saud, and in the circumstances that relevant sentence should be
revised as follows :—
“ They are glad to be able to inform you that King Hussein is willing to meet
you, and to endeavour to come to a friendly arrangement with you. The time and
place of this meeting should be arranged direct with King Hussein, and intimated to
me for the information of His Majesty’s Government.”
Clear the line.
Your telegram No. 1244, dated 28th January. Bin Saud. Provided it is certain
that Bin Saud will remain at Hasa until Nejd Mission arrives, I approve your proposal
to await Mission’s arrival before communicating message conveyed in my telegram
of 24th January. I agree that it will be preferable for Bin Saud to proceed to Jeddah
by sea, and you are authorised to p’/opose this to him and to make necessary arrange
ments. 1 am asking Admiralty to instruct Naval Commander-in-Chief to render you
all assistance in his power. You will bear in mind that His Majesty’s Government
attach great importance to meeting between King Husain and Bin Saud, and that
latter’s visit to Hasa affords opportunity that is not likely to recur not only of
influencing him effectively in desired direction, but of ensuring that he actually sets
out on the journey.
My telegram of 5th February. Bin Saud. Admiralty have instructed Naval
Commander-in-Chief as requested, but consider it unlikely that he can spare a ship,
and suggest that Royal Indian Marine vessel might be lent by Government of India
if Bin Saud cannot travel by ordinary steamer.
(P 902)
From Secretary of State to Civil Commissioner, Baghdad,
5th February 1920.
(Repeated Viceroy.)
(P 1060)
From Secretary of State to Civil Commissioner, Baghdad,
H5th l^ebruary 1920.
(Repeated to Viceroy.)
Priority A.