'File 10/3 VI Qatar Oil Concession' [‎80r] (171/481)

W i
^ (
35
standing with the Amir, who has hitherto been friendly disposed to us, the
probability is that we shall force him to adopt an attitude of permanent
hostility, which cannot but react unfavourably on the Chiefs of the littoral.
We therefore strongly advocate not any definite treaty with the Amir, but
a friendly interchange of views in which we should intimate to him that
we expect him not to interfere with the territories of Chiefs with whom
we have treaty or other relations on the Gulf littoral. We see no reason
why if this were done with the full knowledge of the Porte, to whom our
intentions could be clearly explained, there should be any risk of offending
Turkish susceptibilities or raising their suspicions. We might warn the
Trucial Chiefs seriously against any provocative action against the Amir,
but instead of assuring them of immunity from him, which is only likely
to encourage them to assume a truculent attitude towards him, we might
tell them that our relations with the Amir are such that their fears of
aggression on his part are groundless."
Views of H.M. Government, August 1913.
170. H.M. Government on consideration agreed generally with the Govern- i.o. to F.O.,
ment of India, and on the suggestion of the Secretary of State for India, Hakki 13.8.13.
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. was also informally told that H.M. Government owing to the death of the ^ L0 ''
Sheikh of Qatar and subsequent events must in order to carry out their obligations 3751043.
make Ibn Sand either their friend or their enemy; that they could not afford to s. of S. to
make him their enemy; and that they therefore proposed to enter into a friendly Vic.,
exchange of views with him in order to regularise the position—a communication 21 - 81 3.
which the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. received in a friendly spirit and promised to communicate to
his Government.
171. In September 1913 Ibn Saud, in reply to the Resident's letter of 9th July vie. to S. of
(paragraph 163 above), asked for a clearer explanation of the British attitude. S., 5.9.13,
Sir Percy Cox intimated on 11th September 1913 that it was somewhat difficult P. 3666/13
to give the explanations desired without fuller information as to Ibn Saud's
wishes. He suggested a meeting, and added:—
"Meanwhile, I have my Government's authority to assure you that, pro
vided you undertake on your part to abstain from all action calculated to
disturb the status quo, or to create unrest, among the Arab Principalities Bre. to G. of
whose rulers are in relation with the British Government, including the I-, -796,
Principality of Katr, the independence of which under the Government of p >
the late Sheikh Jasim and his successors of the Bin Thani family has been
recently recognised by the British and Turkish Governments, the British
Government will continue to maintain the friendly relations which have been
sustained in the past."
Attitude of Turkey: October—December 1913.
172. On 2nd October the Foreign Office intimated that a reply had been
received from Hakki Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to the communication referred to in paragraph 170 F .o. to 1 .0.,
above, in which the Porte expressed their thanks for the friendly offer of H.M. 39902/13,
Government stated that they were actually in negotiation with Ibn Saud, and p * 4062 lo
added that if the necessity should arise for recourse to the good offices of H.M.
Government the Porte would not fail to avail itself of them.
173. On 15th December the Ambassador at Constantinople reported that the Const, to
Turkish Government had intimated that they proposed to recognise the recent fait ^ : 977 .
accompli in Nejd by nominating Ibn Saud A1 Mutasarif of the district. p 1 56o2/l3
Discussion between Acting 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. , Captain Shakespear, and
Ihn Saud: l§th December 1913.
174. Endeavours were made to arrange a meeting between the Political
Resident and Ibn Saud towards the end of 1913, and on 16th December Major
Trevor and Captain Shakespear met Ibn Saud and had an exhaustive discussion
w ith him. The following points are taken from a memorandum of the interview
which was read over to Ibn Saud and in the terms of which he concurred ;—
"His family, he said, had been in Nejd from time immemorial and had
for generations ruled over it without interference from outside. He himself
3076 K