File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [‎67r] (131/426)

(18th December 1914) and 4th Safar (21st December 1914) 1333. I thanked
God for your safety and was glad at your success. I was glad also to read what
you wrote to me with reference to your success at Kurnah and of the capture
of Subhi Bey and his comrades. May you always be successful. Next you
wrote of what you have promised to me as regards fair dealings and the desire
to do good and justice. As regards myself, you give me the hope that in
consequence of what has come about by your occupation of this country we
shall have cause for greater prosperity than in the past, and that our country
will become secure from the high-handedness of the Turkish Government from
which we used to suffer in the past. I am thankful (for this), and there is
no doubt that you are the most just among the people and more appreciative
of our rights and of those of the people of respectability. I always cherish
(feelings of) friendship and regards for you, and do not think of anything
which would be opposed to your wishes. I am convinced that you are a true
and just people. As to my affairs, I shall explain to you fully after conferring
with Captain Shakespear.
Then, as regards my friend, Sayyid Talib Bey, who is like a brother to me,
he has absolutely no considerations opposed to your wishes. He trusts in your
justice and relies on the mercy of the honoured British Government, and he
believes more than any other person in the justice of the Government and in its
majesty and power. He has for a long time endeavoured to acquire your friend
ship and to become a dependent of your Government. He had had feelings of
friendship and sincerity for long past. When God willed the declaration of war
between you and the Turkish Government, the latter Government ordered him
to come to ine to try to bring about a reconciliation between me and Ibn Rashid,
and to bring me out for Jehad. True to my expectation, he communicated
to me, jhr appearances’ sake, the message of the Turkish Government, and
(at the same time) secretly advised me that it would be better to disregard
both the matters (i.e., the above two requests of the Turkish Government).
His reason for so advising me was the enmity the Turkish Government had
for me and for him, and also his regard for the interests of the honoured
British Government. Thereafter I sent him my trusted messenger, Salih-al-
Adhl, and (through the latter) compelled him (Sayyid Talib) to make the
said matter (i.e., the proposed mission) an excuse for his coming out to me.
This was expedient for the reason that he was in danger from the treachery
of the Turks, as has already been made known to you, and also for the reason
that he may meet Captain Shakespear, who in his previous letter had said that
he was coming to me via Bahrain in order to consolidate (lit —bind) the
interests of all c< nejrned. No doubt after the meeting the said brother will
explain the matter to you fully. Now we received with the greatest respect
your order that he should come to Koweit, and we are convinced that our
good and honour lies in^ obeying your orders. He has just left (for Koweit);
may God lead him there in safety. He has come to an understanding with
Captain Shakespear that he (Sayyid Talib) will remain at Jahara until your
arrival there. I request you to meet him as soon as possible and to keep him
in your considerate mind, which will be cause for my further thankfulness to
you With the help and assistance of God (i e., I trust that) he will render you
good services and show friendship to you. I therefore trust that you will
consider his reply and his letter favourably, and whatever friendliness and
kindness you will show to him it will be like showing it to me personally,
for which I shall be thankful to you all my life.
^
No. C£.-35, dated Busliire, the 23rd January (received 1st February) 1915.
From Lieutenant-Colonel S. G. Knox, C.I.E., Officer on Special Duty (in the absence
of the Resident) Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department.
In continuation of this office letter No. Cf.-453 of December 1 st, 1914,
I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India,
No. S-12, dated the 3rd January 19:5, from a copy of the marginally cited letter, on
Captain Shakespear, to itesident ■ the subject of the movements of Sayvid
Talib.