File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [‎64r] (125/426)

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Telegram R., No. 167-B. ; dated (and received) the 29th January 1915.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
Further communication received from Captain Shakespear, dated 16th
January.
On that date Bin Saud had 6,000 townsmen of his own and Ajman
Umtailr and Harb tribes of Bedawin with him. Bin Kashid with 700 towns
men and a large force of Shammar tribesmen was at some wells 25 miles
distant.
Bin Saud was expected to move camp 15 miles towards him and then
attack. General belief was that a victory for Bin Saud was certain.
—
Dated Basrah, the 18th January (received 1st February) 1915.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P. Z. Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political Depart
ment.
In continuation of my telegrams Nos. 68 , 69 and70-B., dated the 16th and
17th January 1915, on the subject of Bin Saud, I have the honour to enclose, for
No. S-13, dated m j, n „.,y 1915. J 1 ®. information of the Government of
India, 5 a copy of the marginally cited
letter which I have received from ^Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, C.I.E , on
special duty.
No. S.-13, dated Camp-XVII, Central Arabia, the 4th January 1915.
From— Captain W. H. I. Shakespear, C.I.E., I.A., Political Officer on special duty,
To—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Basrah.
In continuation of my letter No. S-7, dated 7th December 1914, from
Koweit, I have the honour to report that, leaving Koweit on the 12 th Decem
ber, I reached Abdul Aziz “ Bin Saud’s ” camp on the 31st December 1914.
The Amir’s last letter had led me to expect him to be nearer Koweit, but poor
grazing north of the Dahana and the presence of a large force compelled him
to camp at Khufsa (about Lat 26° 12'N. Long 45° 35 E.) and entailed
upon me a journey of some 330 miles. I was received very cordially by
“ Bin Saud ” and his brothers and met many friends among his headmen.
Z. General 'Political Situation .—It will be of interest to note here that
the attitude of Central Arabia, so far as I am able to guage it in this camp,
is very sympathetic towards Great Britain, antagonistic to Germany and one
of hatred to Turkey combined with a sense of relief and a hope that at last
the machinations of the Ottoman Government in Nejd may come to an end.
There is unaffected rejoicing at the British successes in Basrah and Gurna,
while not a trace of fanatical spirit adverse to Great Britain is visible,
far the most potent factor, other than the personal predilections of the Amir and
his family, in producing this favourable result in Wahabi Arabia has been
the British Proclamation regarding the Holy Places. I was informed
by some who were present that Abdul Aziz “ Bin Saud ” had the pro
clamation read out at one of his “ Majlis ” in Buraidah when a large
number of his notables were present, commenting on it as proof of
British sincerity and drawing comparisons much to our advantage between
the Government which, though of another faith, was prepared to bind itself
by such a proclamation and one which had continually oppressed its subjects,
though of its own faith, and attempted to proclaim a Jihad ” while allying
itself to another Christian Power. J can say with assurance that a religious
war as hoped for by the Ottoman Government has no supporters irf Central
Arabia. “ Bin Saud ” himself has already practically imprisoned a lurkish
officer in Hasa, sent to him to help train his troops for the war, and is keeping
India, Foreign Secretary’s