File E/8 I Ibn Sa‘ud [‎105v] (225/606)

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difficulty with Bin Sa'ud, adds that if the necessity arises the Porte will not
fail to avail itself of them. Sir P. Cox, in his " memorandum of guidance
for Maior Trevor at his meeting with Bin Sa'ud m December last, observes that
<£ it may be taken for granted that the Porte will be anxious to avoid our media
tion if possible and the local state of affairs at the moment leads me to fear
that, notwithstanding Hakki Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. 's apparent readiness frankly to exchange
views at the discussions which have recently taken place m London, the replies
of the Porte to the representations of His Majesty s Government may be
purposelv delayed pending the result of the efforts which are being made locally to
effect a settlement with Bin Sa'ud, a settlement which., whatever its exact terms may
be, will certainly be opposed to our interests, and fatal to the future peace and
prosperity of certain regions adjoining the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Translation of a letter from Abd-ul-Aziz Talib
undated.
After compliments,
I was very pleased to receive your letter signifying your devotion to the
Exalted Government (Porte), which devotion 1 share, as you know, brother, that
I am the first in wishing well to that Government and country. And it is with great
grief that I have to ask you to represent to the persons charged with the business
that although I do not waver in allegiance to Islam or turn from obedience to
the Porte there are things that I cannot do. Please present my good wishes to
Anwar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the present war minister, and assure him that I also aesire the union
of Islam and the binding together of separated hearts, and moreover that I am grate
ful to him for having sent His Excellency Saiyid 'Umar Fauzi Beg for the establish
ment of friendly relations and for the latter having brought a valuable present
in the shape of the noble Koran.
But it is not hidden from you that the affairs of our country at the present
moment are in a very strange condition, of which indeed the description is impossible,
and that I am not responsible for this. If the Government's intentions are really
to protect the country from various dangers and to gather Islam together in obe
dience to the Khalifate then this can only be done by diplomatic measures followed
. . ., by a proclamation, and it is for the Porte to
•H,. Ma eaty . „ »«.t h„.. ^ ^ those people . wll0s e
good qualities cause the countries of the world to remain in repose, whom we know
and on whom we depend and do not wish to displease by actions contrary to our
promises to them. Please give my respects to Saiyid 'Umar Fauzi Beg and give
assurances of my friendship in all necessary places. And as for the valuable present,
I accept it, and hope you will convey my excuses, and salaam.
'■ G. M. Press, Simla.~No. C-48 i3-4=.14.—38—B.A.