ملف رقم ٢١٨٢ لسنة ١٩١٣، الجزء ٥، "منطقة نجد بالجزيرة العربية: سياسة ابن سعود" [و‎‎٣‎١‎٩] (٣٠٨/٢١٣)

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From Arbnr, Basra, 8th September 1916.
(Addressed to Bureau,, Cairo, for informatioFyrepeatedQ to Foreign and
Secretary of State for information and favour of instructions )
45-3 Please see my telegram, No. 4455, dated 5th September. Further
letter has now been received from ibn Sand, dated 15th August, mainly
regarding Sherif. Following is summary :—
“ Ibn Sand has received letters from Sherif asking for alliance and assist
ance. tie has sent reply saying as regards ‘ assistance ’ he will respond
to best of his power. As regards ‘ alliance ’ he reminds Sherif that
whereas he (Ibn Sand) has never had designs upon Hedjaz, the Sherif on
the other hand has habitually endeavoured to interfere amongst tribes and
territories of Ibn Sand That if Sherif is now sincere in his desire for
alliance he should give a solemn undertaking to abstain from all
interference in Ibn Sand’s limits or amongst his subjects.”
Commenting on above Ibn Sand remarks that he has no personal wish
to ally himself with Sherif but has entertained proposal, firstly, because we
desire it and, secondly, in hope of expelling Turks, lie continues that if
relations between him and Sherif merely concern themselves he will comply
with request for alliance in the ev'ent of a satisfactory reply being received.
If, however, reply gives impression that Sheriffs (? group omitted) is to deceive
Ibn Sand and seek to exert control over him then Ibn Saud will take steps
to protect his own interests.
On the other hand if his relations with Sherif are a matter of concern to
us and importance to our policy he will be guided by our wishes and in any
case will make a further reference to me on getting Sherif’s reply.
With reference to foregoing please see Sherif’s letter dated 5th November
1915. In his reply of 13th December High Commissioner specifically
assumed that Sherif’s recognition of our existing treaties with Arab Chiefs
applied to “ all territories included in Arab Kingdom.” It is earnestly hoped
and understood that we have decided to regard this latter (corrupt group) as
defunct as far as we are concerned, but can we safely assume that it is also
dead in mind of Sherif ? In any case it is very necessary to inform Bin Saud
definitely that no present or future understandings between us and Sherif
will prejudice our adherence to terms of Articles I. and II. of our Treaty with
him of 2oth December 1915, and that meanwhile it is highly important that
he should unite with Sherif in championing common cause of chiefs and
tribes of Arabia, the emancipation of whom is one of chief features of British
P oli( W
It is for consideration whether terms of our Treaty with Bin Saud should
not be communicated to Sherif at the same time.
I await comment before replying to Bin Saud whose messenger waiting.
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