File E/8 I Ibn Sa‘ud [‎89v] (193/606)

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what form it should be. You know of course that I adhere to my word and am
firm on the matter that may near me towards the fremdship of the British
Government and may check my nearing the Turks except in case I connot help, then
I will tread a way good for myself Now ^ Inshallah you may let me know
whatever is necessary, though your first word i had taken by the eye of accept
ance, but you know that a man of business desires to know the reality and to settle
his case and intention is known to you. I request you to let me know through
my protege Yusuf whom I have trusted in order to negotiate with your honour so
that I may (be able to ) look after my interests. May you be preserved and salaam.
No. 404, dated the 10th April 1914.
From— M ajor A. P. T revor , C .I.E., Political, Agent, Bahrain,
To—M ajor S. G. K nox , C .I.E., 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Bushire.
In continuation of my letter No. 383, dated the 6th April 1914 (which did not
after all catch the last mail steamer before she left and will reach you with this
letter), I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of my reply to Bin Sa'ud's
lettter.
Bin Sa'ud sent a confidential messenger with this letter who had an interview
with me. He said that Bin Sa'ud would like to have another meeting with me,
and asked if I could arrange it. I replied that I should like very much to see Bin
Sa'ud again, but I did not think it would be advisable for me to go and meet him
now, without sanction from superior authority, as possibly, in view of the pour
parlers going on in London, such action might be open to objection.
In any case I could not add anything to what I had said at the former inter
view and in my letter No. 514 as I knew nothing further.
The messenger said that Bin Sa'ud had received a letter from Shaikh Mubarak
suggesting a meeting with Binbashi Saiyid 'Omar Beg at Kuwait. I said that,
as far as I was aware, there did not appear to be any immediate neces
sity to arrive at a settlement, and recommended delay. The messenger, however,
seemed to think that Bin Sa'ud would feel called upon to go if he received
another letter. My impression is that Bin Sa'ud intends to go and have a meeting
in any case, and is naturally very anxious to know first whether the British Govern
ment has been able to do anything for him.
I beg to enquire whether I should comply with Bin Sa'ud's wishes and meet
him somewhere on the coast. If so, provided I receive permission at an early date,
I could, no doubt, make the trip either in the R. I. M. S. " Palinurus " or on the
S. L.'" Bahrain ". If it is not possible to communicate with me soon I do not suppose
the meeting will be possible as I think Bin Sa'ud will soon go on towards Kuwait.
If so, no doubt he will have an interview with the 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. there.
I am attempting to send you the gist of this letter by telegram from Henjam,
but the mail is late and possibly you will not get it much sooner.
Translation of a letter No. 614, from the P
'Aziz bin'Ahdur Rahman bin
1 have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 6th Jamadi
1,1332—(2nd April 1914) and in reply I have to say that am afraid I have no further
information which I can give you, as I have heard nothing further since my letter
No. 514 was written.
lour letter under reply has unfortunately just missed the mail to Bushire, but
1 will communicate with the Resident at the first opportunity. Should I receive
any further news I will communicate with you.
In the meanwhile there does not seem to me to be any very pressing hurry,
and I would advise you to wait.
if you are going up towards Kuwait, I beg to suggest that you might communi
cate with the 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. there before actually having the meeting. I have
had a talk over the whole subject with your messenger Yusuf.
G. M. Press, Simla.—No. C. 73 D.—30-4-14—36——B. A.
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