Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎271r] (542/802)

II -—Frontier Questions and Foreign Relations in Arabia.
89. The negotiations for a treaty settlement between Saudi Arabia and
Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan (see paragraph 63 of the last report) were pursued actively in Jedda
from the 23rd April to the 4th May inclusive. The main basis of discussion was
three drafts of a Treaty of Friendship and “ Bon-Voisinage,” an Arbitration
Protocol and an hxtradition Treaty modelled with necessary alterations on the
^similar agreements concluded between Saudi Arabia and Iraq in April 1931. It
^Vas realised that certain other matters would have to be provided for in ancillary
texts, notably the question of a working arrangement for the determination of
tribal nationality, arrangements of detail for the collaboration of frontier
officers and the notes to be exchanged between His Majesty’s Government and the
Saudi Government in fulfilment of the promise given by the former to accept
responsibility for the performance of obligations entered into by the Amir
Abdullah and his Government.
90. It became evident in the course of the negotiations that it would be
impossible to negotiate an Extradition Treaty containing the safeguards
considered essential by His Majesty’s Government and the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan Govern
ment in regard to political offences and judicial procedure. The Saudi delegates
eventually agreed to postpone such a treaty indefinitely. This cleared the way
for the practical completion of the draft Treaty of' Friendship and “ Bon-
Voisinage” and a draft Arbitration Protocol. Ibn Saud appeared anxious that
these instruments should be signed before the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan mission left. So much
progress was made on the 3rd May, after his arrival in Jedda that morning, that
it looked in the evening as though this might be accomplished. By next morning,
however, the Saudi Government had decided to go slow, and it was agreed to
postpone the proceedings, in accordance with the agreement reached in the earlier
diplomatic discussions that if the conference could not reach a final result in
Jedda it should be resumed later in Jerusalem. The mission left on the 5th May.
91. The atmosphere of the conference was excellent. The Saudi delegates
mastered successfully on the whole their natural tendency towards meticulousness
over minor details. They used various devices to try and emphasise the inferior
status which they attribute to the Amir Abdullah, but yielded to firm resistance
on the other side to anything in the nature of a formal recognition of inequality
between the parties. Since the departure of the mission friendly conversations
have taken place between His Majesty’s Minister and Fuad Bey with a view to
so reducing the number of contentious questions still outstanding as to ensure the
success of the second stage of the negotiations, which it has been agreed to hold
in the latter part of July, if possible. This should be feasible, subject to an
agreement of some sort, which may have to reserve a small number of specially
difficult cases, in regard to tribal nationality. The greatest difficulty arises over
the Sirhan tribe, who have long been settled in Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , but have certain
rights of property in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sirhan and frequent a part of it for winter
grazing. Their grazing rights have recently been interfered with by the
Governor of Qaf, and their rights of property may be endangered if a settlement
cannot be reached.
92. No raids were reported from the frontier during May. The Saudi
Government complained of the killing of a man earlier in the year bv a
Transjordanian police patrol. The incident was already known to the Legation,
which returned an immediate interim reply to the effect that the man had lost his
life after attacking the patrol in a ravine.
93. Relations between Iraq and Saudia Arabia appear to be normal. The
question of Hashimite properties (paragraph 65 of last report) is not so advanced
as the acting Iraqi Charge d’Affaires seemed to hope in April. This and the
failure of the Saudi Government to send a representative to Bagdad were amono-
the more important Iraqi grievances set forth in the Bagdad Saut-al-Iraq of the
19th April, and reproduced with a conciliatory rejoinder in the Mecca Umm-al-
Qura of the 15th May. Rushaid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who was appointed Saudi Charge
d’Affaires amd consul-general at Bagdad in 1931, but never proceeded, has now
been made Saudi consul in Damascus. A new appointment to Bagdad was made
in May, the person chosen being Ibrahim-bin-Muammer, who has°held the posts
of head of Divan to the King and the Amir Saud. It was announced in the
Umm-al-Qura of the 26th May that representatives of Saudi Arabia and Iraq
were to meet at Jauf to discuss various outstanding frontier incidents.
[823 ee—1] B o