"ملفات 61/12 و 61/16 (D 80) معاهدة بين بان سعود والحكومة البريطانية" [و‎‎١‎٦‎٩] (٤٠٨/٣٤٤)

Sir G. Clayton said that His Majesty's Government fully realised ibn Sand's
difliculties and had no desire to urge him to take measures which might be harmful
or cause disorganisation of the social fabric, but they did ask for a declaration from
him of the principles which were so strongly upheld by all civilised nations and a
recognition of the right of manumission which had been exercised for many years.
No British Government could possibly, in the face of public opinion, both in England
and throughout the civilised world, subscribe to a treaty which did not condemn the
practice of traffic in human lives, nor could they renounce the right of manumission
which they now possessed and which was one of the means by which they were able
to assist in combating the trade in slaves.
1 he nationality clause was then discussed, and Sir G. Clayton observed that
he understood that Ibn Saud considered it liable to misinterpretation as trenching
on the sovereignty of his Government; he had therefore suggested the addition of a
clause which would make it clear that Hejaz law would run throughout his dominions
both for foreigners and for natives. This raised an important question, as such a
clause would imply the renunciation of certain rights which had been acquired by
treaty with the Ottoman Government and which had been enjoyed by various foreign
Governments as well as that of Great Britain. Sir G. Clayton said that he would
study the question and see whether he could suggest a formula which would solve the
difficulty.
The question of the protocol was then raised, and Sir G. Clayton pointed out
the importance which His Majesty's Government attached to an early settlement of
this question. The frontier suggested in the protocol, which was that which he
himself had unofficially notified to His Majesty at Bahra, represented the final
decision of His Majesty's Government, and there was no chance that delay in agree
ment would lead them to change their view.
His Majesty said that he had ^iven much thought to this question, and had
decided that, for reasons which he had already given, he was unable to sign the
protocol at present, but he was prepared to promise that he would, pending final
settlement, respect the frontier as defined in the protocol and mve the necessary
guarantees in the form of an exchange of letters. He begged His Majesty's Govern
ment not to force his hand at a time which was peculiarly unfavourable, when both
his friends and his enemies would unite in blaming him if he took action which they
would interpret as a renunciation of Moslem territory to a Christian Power. He felt
convinced that, if his hand were not forced now, a satisfactory solution would be
much more easily arrived at at a later date.
Ibn Sand's request for inclusion in the treaty of an article notifying the with
drawal of the embargo on the importation of arms was then discussed. Sir G.
Clayton pointed out that His Majesty's Government did not consider that this was a
suitable subject for inclusion in a treaty, but they were prepared to inform him, in
writing, that the embargo was withdrawn and that, subject to the provisions of the
Arms Traffic Convention of 1925, no obstacles would be placed in the way of his
Government obtaining arms from British sources.
4^ Meeting.
This meeting was held on the 12th May, at 9 a.m.
Sir G. Clayton informed His Majesty that His Majesty's Government were not
asking him to abolish slavery at once throughout his dominions, and they fully
realised the difficulties of his'position and the necessity to avoid drastic and pre
cipitate measures which would dislocate the social fabric of the countr\. hat His
Majesty's Government did require, however, was that His Majesty should undertake
to co-operate in suppressing the traffic in slaves by cutting off the sources of supply,
thereby working gradually towards total abolition. Secondly, His IMajesty s Govern
ment required His Majesty to recognise the right of manumission by His Britannic
Majesty's consular officers. jManumission had been practised foi many yeai^, and,
even were His Majesty's Government prepared to renounce it, they would be debarred
from doing so by the force of public opinion, not only in England, but throughout the
WOr ^li)n Saud replied that he was entirely in favour, in principle, of the gradual
abolition of slavery, and was even prepared to consider the early framing of laws
which would prevent the importation of new slaves, for which he thought it would be
possible to procure a "^Fetwa" from his religious authorities. The practice
of manumission bv foreign consular officers was, however, intolerable and would never
be adimUed by the Ulema and the notables of the country.
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