File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [‎66r] (129/426)

(e) The great influence “ Bin Saud 55 has over Mahomedan opinion in ]
Arabia, an influence likely to increase as the Turkish Empire
breaks up and the Khalifate of the Sultan is questioned, will
be a British asset.
{f) “ Bin Saud’s” influence with all Arab tribes, and particularly with
the Northern Anaizah, with whom our occupation of Lower
Mesopotamia will bring us in close contact.
10 . Khalifate of Islam. —Having referred to the Khalifate of Islam
above perhaps it will be as well to explain that we have little need to fear
an attempt on the part of “ Bin Saud” or his family to arrogate this title.
The Wahabis only acknowledge the first four Khalifs and no subsequent
ones. In a conversation with “ Bin Sand” I gathered that most Arabs other
than Wahabis and probably also most Mahomedans had their faith in the
Khalifate of the Sultan severely shaken by the circumstances of Abdul Hamid’s
deposition and Mahomed Eeshad’s accession. The Arabs now anticipate a
similar revolution with Mahomed Beshad and Enver Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. as the principals,
and should it come to pass that the latter becomes Sultan the opinions^ I hear/
expiessed indicate that the Khalifate will by the common consent of Islam
revert to the descendants of the Prophet’s family in Mecca, of whom the
present head is the Sharif and who I feel sure would command “ Bin Saud’s”
support in such an event rather than his antagonism.
11 . Conclusion. —This report has run to a considerable length, but in
view of the present favourably political situation locally, the instability of all
Arab opinion and affairs, the far-reaching issues involved and the urgency of
communicating some adequate assurance to £t Bin Saud ” at a very early date,
I have felt it justified, more particularly to show clearly Abdul Aziz’s attitude
of mind and the position from his point of view.
The balancing of the responsibilities which we will incur with the
advantages which are likely to accrue from the conclusion of a treaty on the
lines of the attached preliminary draft rests with higher authority, but I would
venture to reiterate the extreme urgency of the matter. “Bin Sand” is
prepared to meet Sir Percy Cox in the vicinity of Zobair, but he will not
move northwards until he has settled with “ Ibn Bashid,” and not even then
unless the treaty which he desires has assumed a practically final form, which
^ . . P r ®P are d to accept. His reason is that he cannot take any further risk
of in Bating the Ottoman Government unless he can be assured of British
protection, having already pleaded to it that he could not leave his own terri
tories. I would venture to suggest that probably considerable time will be
saved, seeing how difficult communication in present circumstances is, if I
were empowered, to treat with “ Bin Saud ”, the draft clauses acceptable to and
what is not acceptable to His Majesty’s Government being communicated to
me. “ Bin Saud *’particularly desires that these negotiations should not be 1
discussed with Shaikh Sir Mubarak as Subah, who has not now his whole
confidence. ..... ■ • - j
12 . Two copies of this report are being sent direct to Sir Percy Cox at
Basrah and one direct to Bushire (without enclosures).
Rough Translation.
fn c ^ auses which will be reasons for a binding agreement between
( Bin Saud ”) and the Great British Government.
myself
ai tt 1 * G ' over ^ ,nent wil1 acknowledge and admit that Nejd,
Al-Hasa, Katif, their surroundings and the ports appertaining to them on the
s ores or the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. are to me and (are) the territory of my fathers
and forelathers; that I am the independent ruler of them and after me my H
sons and their descendants by inheritance; and that the above-mentioned j
territory is an independent territory in which there is no (right of) interference
to any Eoreign Power.
2 . That they (the British Government) will declare its (the territory’s)
boundaries North, South, East and West, by land and by sea, and that (regard-
mg) the nomads who wander between neighbouring towns, which are either