File 705/1916 Pt 2 'Arab revolt: Arab reports; Sir M Sykes' reports' [‎148r] (293/450)

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suggest that the Sherifs intention was to deeeire him and to seek to exercise control
over him, Ibn Saud would take steps to protect his own interests: unless his relations
with the^ bhenf were a matter which concerned us, in which case he would be guided
reply 11 * W1SheS ' In any CaSe he WOuld refer to Sir P - Cox a g ain on getting the Sherifs
^ at Co J rimentin g on Sir Percy Cox refers to the Sherifs letter of the 5th
November, and the_ High Commissioners reply of the 13th December, 1915. The
lattei, he says, specifically assumed that the recognition of our treaties with Arab
chiefs by the Sherif applied to “ all territories included in the Arab Kingdom.” Sir
Percy Cox earnestly hopes and understands that “ we have decided to regard this
lattei [conupt gioup] as defunct as far as we are concerned,” but asks whether it can
be assumed with safety that it is also dead in the mind of the Sherif.
In any case he thinks that Ibn Saud should be definitely informed that no
undertakings, present or future, between us and the Sherif will prejudice our
adherence to the terms of the first two articles of the treaty of the 26th December,
1915, and that it is highly important that he should unite with the Sherif “in
championing the common cause of the chiefs and tribes of Arabia, the emancipation
of whom is one of the chief features of British policy.” He adds that it is a matter
for consideration as to whether the terms of the treaty with Ibn Saud should not be
communicated to the Sherif.
[The two articles of the treaty referred to by the C.P.O. are the following :—
“ (1.) The British Government do acknowledge and admit that Najd, A1 Hasa,
Qatif, and Jubail, and their dependencies and territories, which will be discussed
and determined hereafter, and their ports on the shores of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , are
the countries of Ibn Saud and of his fathers before him, and do hereby recognise
the said Ibn Saud as the independent Buler thereof and absolute Chief of their
tribes, and after him his sons and descendants by inheritance; but the selection of
the individual shall be in accordance with the nomination (i.e., by the living Buler)
of his successor; but with the proviso that he shall not be a person antagonistic
to the British Government in any respect; such as, for example, in regard to the
terms mentioned in this treaty.
“ (2.) In the event of aggression by any Foreign Power on the territories of
the countries of the said Ibn ISaud and his descendants, without reference to the
British Government and without giving her an opportunity of communicating with
Ibn Saud and composing the matter, the British Government will aid Ibn Saud
to such an extent and in such a manner as the British Government, after
consulting Ibn Saud, may consider most effective for protecting his interests and
countries.”]
IBN BASHID.
An agent reported [07465] on the 1st September that the Young Turks had made
an agreement with Ibn Bashid to attack the Sherif of Mecca simultaneously.
MASKAT.
[Nil]
KOWEYT AND THE TBUCIAL COAST.
•[Nil]
BAHREIN.
[Nik]