'File 61/14 VI (D 50) Relations between Nejd and Iraq' [‎39r] (98/830)

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Content

The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and reports relating to affairs between the British Mandate of Iraq and the Kingdom of Najd. The majority of the correspondence is between Leo Amery, Secretary of State for the Colonies, Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary (both in London), Henry Dobbs, High Commissioner in Iraq, Lionel Haworth, 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 Bushire, Cyril Barrett, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Bahrain, James More, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Kuwait, Ibn Sa'ud, King of Hejaz-Najd and its Dependencies, John Glubb, Administrative Inspector in Iraq, Gerald De Gaury, Special Service Officer in Kuwait, and the Government of India.

The volume covers the period after a revolt by the Ikhwan during which there was a perceived threat of attacks against Iraq and Kuwait. The different opinions within the British Government on the size of the threat and how to respond to it is evident. Subjects included are:

• intelligence of tribal movements and activities, particularly those of the Ikhwan tribes of Mutair, 'Ajman, and 'Utaibah, and the threat and occurrence of cross-border raids, all gathered from reports by De Gaury and Glubb, as well as local rumour;
• issues concerning the defence of Kuwait (naval protection, air reconnaissance and bombing, a land force);
• the use of 'police posts' along the desert frontier;
• the first meeting (in May 1929) between Gilbert Clayton and Ibn Sa'ud in Jeddah to discuss the crisis;
• the thoughts, motivations, and capabilities of Ibn Sa'ud;
• a conference of Najd tribal leaders in Riyadh with Ibn Sa'ud to try and resolve the situation.

Other subjects that are covered are:

• the concept of the 'jihad tax' levied by Ibn Sa'ud against non-combatants to help finance his wars;
• a rumour, dismissed by the British, that the Persians are encouraging the Ikhwan revolt (it is not clear which Persians are implicated);
• the loss of crops and grazing in Najd caused by a swarm of locusts and its effects on tribal migrations.

At the end of the volume (folios 398-402) are internal office notes.

Extent and format

1 volume (413 folios)

Arrangement

The volume is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the sequence starts on the first folio and runs through to folio 404 on the inside back cover. The numbering is written in pencil, circled, and found 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. There are the following irregularities: 1A and 1B; 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D; 118A; 285A; and 299A.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script

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