File E/8 I Ibn Sa‘ud [‎162r] (346/606)

CONFIDENTIAL.
No. C.-29, dated Kuwait, the 26th June 1914.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel W. G. Grey , LA., 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. , Kuwait,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department, Simla.
I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of a letter No. C.-28, dated
26th June 1914, which I have addressed to the Political Eesident in the Persian
Gulf.
Enclosure to Serial No. (185).
No. C.-28, dated Kuwait, the 26th June 1914.
From—L ieutenant-Colonel W. G. Geey , I.A., 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. , Kuwait,
To—The Political Eesident in the Persian Glf , Bushire.
In continuation of my letter No. 20-C., dated 20th May last I have the honour
to report further regarding Bin Saud and the Turks.
2. Yesterday Sir Mubarak received a communication from a Turkish friend at
Two enclosures. of an . agreement which
is said to have been arrived at between
Bin Saud and Abd-ul-Latif Mandil, a former agent of his at Basrah, acting on be
half of the Turkish Government. I attach a translation of this document and also
a translation of a congratulatory telegram which accompanied it. This telegram
is supposed to have been sent by Anwar Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , the Minister of War, to Bin
Saud. It will be observed that no mention whatever is made in the terms of the
agreement of foreigners of the interests of Foreign Powers.
3. It Uknown that Abd-ul-Latif Mandjl has recently visited Bin Saud in
Eiadh, but this solution cannot be accepted until some confirmation of the report
has arrived from Bin Saud himself. Sir Mubarak is much disturbed at the thought
that Bin Saud could have concluded a formal agreement without consulting him,
and has sent ofE a messenger to Eiadh to ask for details. Unfortuntely he cannot
return for some ten or twelve days, but I will inform you as early as possible of the
reply.
4. I am sending a copy of this letter and its enclosures direct to the Govern
ment of India in the Foreign Department to save time.
Sub-Enclosure No. 1. !'■
Translation of a letter received hyShaikh 26th
undated an
Sir,
Bin Saud. His affair with the Government is settled according to her desires,
peace is established between the two, and shedding of Muslim blood is averted.
He is appointed Wali and Commander-in-Chief of Nejd without interference, and
(the collection of) all rates and taxes are to be in his hands; he is to pay from them
the expenses of the country and what is (left ?) over will send the proper place*
1. i .e. will render an aceount to Constanti- ^ will place upon the coast regular troops
nople. as required,! and will call foe cannon
2. This apparently gives Bin Saud the op- and small arms from Government when
portunity to require no Turkish troops. required. He will correspond direct with
the Home and War Departments and not through the Wali of Basrah, and will
place Turkish flags on every town in Nejd both far and near: he will appoint whom
he likes and dismiss whom he like^, he is the agent to whom choice is delegated,
and a Fieman to this effect will issue from Constantinople.
Yesterday a telegram came from the War Minister, I enclose a copy of it, and the
Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). will go to Bin Saud in the " Marmaris " to Qatif, This is the news in Basrah
to-day.