File 2182/1913 Pt 5 'Arabia Nejd: Policy Bin Saud' [‎357r] (289/308)

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From—The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel Sir P.IZ. Cox, K.C.S.I., K.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. ,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department.
I have the honour to forward, with translations, a letter, with en
closures, from BinSaud to His Excellency the Viceroy, in reply to his letter of
26th August.
2. I much regret its belated despatch. A translation was sent to me while
at Kut, and I was under the impression, until I dealt with the file on my
return, that the original had gone on to its destination.
Translation of a letter, dated 6th Zilhijjah 1333 [ — 16th October 1915), from Abdul Aziz bin
Abdul Rahman al Faisal to His Excellency Lord llardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy and
Governor-General of India.
I have received your highly esteemed letter dated the 14th Shawal 1333
(26th August 1915) with an Arabic translation, through the friend of all, His
Honour Colonel Cox.
I took it with respectful hands and was honoured by its perusal and I
duly understood what you have informed me, specially with regard to your
expression of pleasure at realising the friendship and sincere intentions that I
hold, from the bottom of my faithful heart, towards His Majesty the King-
Emperor. May his glory ever increase, and for the British Government and the
Government of India. Your pleasure is only an august sign of your lofty
character and high dignity, I accordingly express my thanks and grateful
ness for the sincere regard that you have expressed for myself.
As regards the matter of Bin Bashid, as I informed Your Excellency, in
the interest of both parlies, I had offered to him the necessary advice so that
he might follow it and behave in an amicable manner, as I do, and should not
act against the British Government, as is required in the interests of both
parties. He sent me an agreement purporting to accept my advice and offering
assurances of peace, and saying that he will join hands with me in becoming
allied to each other and to my friend the British Government. He actually
gave me a written assurance to that effect as you will see from the true copy
enclosed herewith.
When I reached Hasa, in connection with the punishment of the mischief-
makers about whose evil works and misbehaviour, I informed our friend Sir
Percy Cox, who must have reported to you my affairs of the past. The Turkish
Government sent to Bin Bashid an officer who went to him and wrote to me a
letter asking for a meeting with me. The purpose of his letter was to come to
an agreement with me on some important points concerning the Turks. I,
however, replied that I had no intention in that direction and I was opposed
to his object and wanted to keep aloof from Turkish affairs. ^ On receiving my
letter he was convinced that I was opposed to his motive. I preferred to
return the said Envoy’s letter to the said Bin Bashid. The latter was then
pressed to break his agreement with me; they also sent out intriguers to the
rebellious Ajman tribe. Thus, at the instance of the said person, Bin Bashid
broke the treaty treacherously, but thank God, my well-organised forces at
Qasim under the command of my Amirs repulsed him with great loss. By the
Grace of God he is now in a very degraded and depressed condition.
About the question of Turkey. She is importuning the Arabs and tribes
and inducing them to co-operate by paying large sums of money, but no doubt,
by God’s help, it will not be of any use to them at all. The wise men are
bound to me and follow my policy and as regards those who are opposed (to us)
the evil consequences of their own actions will be their disgrace. Having
confidence in and friendship with the High Government I explain to them
all the affairs, as I am bound to them very closely against all their enemies.
About our friend His Honour Sir Percy Cox’s reference to the agreement,
as the High British Government have authorised him to act on their behalf m
i.,creived on jf l$irsi > jj f U
LIDIA FOREIGN SECRETARY’S l
Letter. No. 10 M
Dated 4 FPgISIS