File 2902/1916 ‘Treaties and Engagements between the British Government and the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast of the Persian Gulf’ [‎21v] (53/448)

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APPENDIX A.
Text of Treaty, dated November 3, 1916, and ratified^ on March 23, 1918, with Sheikh Abdullah-bm-
Jasim-bin-Thani of al-Katar.
Whereas my grandfather, the late Sheikh Mohammed-bin-Thani, signed an agreementjm the
12th September, 1868, engaging not to commit any breach of the maritime peace, and where
obligations to the British Government have devolved on me his successor in Qatar,
I.
I, Sheikh Abdullah-bin-Jasim-bin-Thani, undertake that I will, as do the friendly Arab Shaikhs
of Abu Dhabi, Dibai, Shargah, Ajman, Ras-ul-Khaima, and Umm-al-Qawam, co-operate with the High
British Government in the suppression of the slave trade and piracy, and genera y m e mam em
of the maritime peace. _ ., t> - no*
To this end, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, 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. m the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , has
favoured me with the treaties and engagements entered into between the Shei s a ove men
and the High British Government, and I hereby declare that I will abide by the spirit and obligations
of the aforesaid treaties and engagements.
II.
On the other hand, the British Government undertakes that 1 and my subjects and my and their
vassals shall receive all the immunities, privileges, and advantages that are conierre on e nen y
Sheikhs, their subjects and their vassals. In token whereof, Sir Percy Cox has a xe is signa u
with the date thereof to each and every one of the aforesaid treaties and engagemen s m e copy
granted to me, and I have also affixed my signature and seal with the date thereof o eac an every
one of the aforesaid treaties and engagements, in two other printed copies of the same rea les an
engagements, that it may not be hidden.
Hi,
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III.
- And in particular, I, Sheikh Abdullah, have further published a proclamation, forbidding the
import and sale of arms into my territories and port of Qatar; and in consideration o t e un er a m t>
into which I now enter, the British Government on its part agrees to grant me facilities to purcnase
and import, from the Maskat Arms Warehouse, or such other place as the British Government may
approve, for my personal use, and for the arming of my dependents, such arms and ammunition as
may reasonably need and apply for in such fashion as may be arranged hereafter through the political
Agent, Bahrein. I undertake absolutely that arms and ammunition thus supplied to me shall under
no circumstances be re-exported from my territories or sold to the public, but shall be reserve so e y
for supplying the needs of my tribesmen and dependents, whom I have to arm for the mam enance o
order in my territories and the protection of my frontiers. In my opinion, the amount o my ear y
requirements will be up to five hundred weapons.
IV.
I, Shaikh Abdullah, further undertake that I will not have relations nor correspond wiih nor
receive the agent of, any other Power without the consent of the High British Government, nei er
will I, without such consent; cede, to any other Power or its subjects, land, either on lease, sale,
transfer, gift, or in any other way whatsoever.
Y.
I also declare that, without the consent of the High British Government, I will not grant pearl-
fishery concessions, or any other monopolies, concessions, or cable landing rights to anyone
whomsoever.
YI.
The customs dues on the goods of British merchants imported to Qatar shall not exceed those
levied from my own subjects on their goods, and shall in no case exceed 5 per cent, ad valorem.
British goods shall be liable to the payment of no other dues or taxes of any other kind whatsoever,
beyond that already specified.
YII.
I, Shaikh Abdullah, further, in particular, undertake to allow British subjects to reside in Qatar
for trade and to protect their lives and property.
VIII.
I also undertake to receive, should the British Government deem it advisable, an agent from
the British Government, who shall remain at Al-Bidaa for the transaction of such business as
the British Government may have with me, and to watch over the interests of British traders, residing
at my ports or visiting them upon their lawful occasions.