File 2182/1913 Pt 5 'Arabia Nejd: Policy Bin Saud' [‎350r] (275/308)

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No. 2£4-C , dated Bombay Castle, the 2^H^Tamiai7 I T9T6:
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Irom—J. E. C. Jukes, Esq., Deputy Secretary t*> the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ,
Political Department,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Delhi.
I am directed to forward herewith a letter intercepted by the Postal Censor,
Bombay, together with a translation of it, and to enquire whether, in the
opinion of the Government of India, it should be allowed to go on to its
destination.
Translation.
Saleman Ahd’ali (?) forwards the following letter to the Editor of the
“ Manar ”, saying “ I am sending on this letter which I have kept for you for
some time, as you say it will be all right.”
To
Sayyid Muhammad Bashid, Editor of “ Al-Manar,” Cairo.
From
The Amir of Nejd, dated 20 Shawal 1332-A H.
Greeting. I have been pleased at receiving your letter of the Sth and 15th
Bajab. Your writings and the publications which you say you sent me have
not, however, arrived. Indeed, most honoured and learned Sir, you advise and
exhort us with sincerity because of your zeal for Islam and your jealousy for
our religion and for Arab honour, which you display towards us and our
country, persevering in the cause of Islam. Let us be on our guard and
beware of the evil results of the snares of politics and the Foreign intrigues
and political adventures of which you are aware. Now we, as I told
your honour in my former letter, do not hesitate either in w r ord or in
deed about adopting all necessary preventive measures to lock against foreign
interference the doors which are open on all sides; nor do w r e spare effort, or
exertion in making our preparations for protecting that part winch is within
the sphere of our control and without it in the Jazirat-al-Arab* against the
machinations of our enemies which are worked from without; and moreover
w r e do willingly what we can for its advancement and prosperity. And in
this important matter you tell us that you have made a comprehensive and
detailed arrangement, and you desire above all things the acquiescence of
the officers who are in charge of its execution ; and you tell us that there are
certain persons who offer themselves for our service, and that they will come to
us and that their presence is essential to us, and you say that you do not know
what conditions they will impose, but that we must accept them.
Yet, Honoured Master, we do not understand the arrangements which you
have made, and we are afraid and are on our guard lest they should not be
adapted to present conditions and to our traditionary arrangements which we.
follow in our Kingdom which is the Strong Bope of God. What are these
men, and what do they want, and to what Society do they belong ? And what
is the number of the forces required to put into execution this important plan ?
It is reasonable to consent and communicate our reply before receiving full
information. I feel the same confidence as I do in the very fact of my exis
tence, and your honour will kindly forgive me, since you know (and so does
everyone) all about us, our plans, our hopes and our aims, and how steadfast
we will be in the prosecution of this scheme, which we do not understand.
Our actions will be for the sake of our deliverance, and accordingly we shall
remain in the expectation of getting full information. The agreement and
alliance with the Imam of Yemen and Sayyid-al-Adrisi was made long ago for
* ? Mesopotamia.
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INDIA FOKMG'T cr ’3REIARY , S
Letter. Ko. 22 M
Eatsd -J 7 MAR 1916