Coll 6/66 'Saudi-Arabia: Saudi-Transjordan Frontier'

Content

This file primarily concerns British policy on the question of the Saudi- Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontier, specifically the frontier between Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan and Nejd, as initially outlined in the Hadda Agreement of 1925.

The correspondence includes discussion of the following:

• The reported disaffection of certain Saudi tribes in the Jauf [Al Jawf] and Teima [Taymā’] areas.
• Difficulties arising from inaccuracies discovered on a 1918 map of the frontier, on which the Hadda agreement was based.
• Saudi Government complaints regarding the alleged violation of the Saudi frontier by British aeroplanes and soldiers at Thaniyya Taraif [Thanīyat Ţurayf, Saudi Arabia].
• A proposal made by Fuad Bey Hamza, Deputy Minister for Saudi Foreign Affairs, during a meeting at the Foreign Office in July 1935, that the frontier should be that which is shown on the 1918 map, regardless of the map's inaccuracies (a proposal that the British authorities in Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan encourage the Foreign Office to accept).
• Reports of infringements of the existing frontier by Saudi patrols.
• The British response to Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] claim to the districts of Akaba [Aqaba] and Maan [Ma‘ān] in Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan .

The file also includes the following:

• Compiled notes of correspondence relating to the Treaty of Jedda (1927) and its modification (and more specifically, to the question of the Hejaz- Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontier) exchanged between Sir Gilbert Clayton and Ibn Saud (1927), and between the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Saudi Foreign Affairs (1936).
• Copies of the minutes of meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence's Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East, concerning the Saudi- Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontier (and, in one instance, also addressing the Island of Tamb in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ).
• Copies of the minutes of interdepartmental meetings regarding the Saudi- Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontier, held at the Colonial Office (7 January 1935) and Foreign Office (28 September 1934) respectively.
• Two sketch maps depicting disputed territory near the frontier.

The file features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan, succeeded by Sir Reader William Bullard); His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires to Jedda (Albert Spencer Calvert); John Bagot Glubb, Acting Officer Commanding the Arab Legion; the Air Officer Commanding Palestine and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan (Richard Edmund Charles Peirse); the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]; officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, the Air Ministry, and the War Office.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).

Extent and format

1 file (212 folios)

It is grouped into

Sketch Map of the Hejaz-Transjordan Frontier

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2133, f 8

Sketch Map of Jebel Tubaik

2 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/12/2133, f 80

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 213; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-209; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/12/2133

Former external reference(s)

Coll 6/66

History of this record

Date(s)

3 Apr 1934-6 Mar 1940 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

FrontiersBilateral agreementsForeign relations

Places

AkabaThaniyya TaraifJaufTeimaTransjordanSaudi ArabiaMaan

People & organisations

Officer Commanding, Arab LegionAir Officer CommandingForeign OfficeHM Ambassador to Saudi ArabiaHM Chargé d'Affaires to JeddahColonial OfficeKing of Saudi ArabiaHigh Commissioner, Palestine and TransjordanSecretary of State for Foreign AffairsAir MinistryWar OfficeCommittee of Imperial Defence, Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle EastSaudi Arabia, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

Coll 6/66 'Saudi-Arabia: Saudi-Transjordan Frontier', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2133, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00029f> [accessed 4 October 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00029f

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x00029f/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content