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Coll 30/96 'The Qatar Treaty of 1916' [‎5r] (11/20)

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The record is made up of 1 file (8 folios). It was created in 22 Nov 1934-9 May 1935. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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P.Z. 2913/55
SECRET
Cypher telegram from Secretary of State addressed
to 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. , Bushire No. 1304. Repeated
Government of India, Foreign & political Depart
ment, Flo. 1305 and Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein,
FFo. 1306, dated 26th April, 1935.
No, of Yvords 456, 456, 458. XXX
own defence
i 5 wj. ^er within his own borders, a point to
Impo rt ant. 1304.
Your telegram dated 22nd April, 372, and Government of
India’s telegram dated 25th April, 1059. Q,atar Oil.
2. His Majesty’s Government approve proposals in paragraph
4 of your telegram with modification that for ’teerious
incursions” they would substitute ’’serious and unprovoked
attack”. They assume, however, that Sheikh fully realises
(c.f. my telegram of 2nd March, 1934, 582) that they will
expect him to take all reasonable steps for his
and for maintaining orde:
which they attach much importance.
3. It is the case that our normal practice is not uo grant
recognition, and His Majesty’s Government would pr^fei to
maintain this policy. On the other hand there have teen
exceptions, (e.g. the present Sheikh of Bahrein was
. recognised as Heir Apparent in 1901). If, however, recognition
ox Hamad as Heir Apparent is essential to clinch matters,
His Majesty's Government, subject to anyfurther views of
Government of India, would be prepared to consider granting
recognition as special case. (Sine qua non ox their
recognition of any new Sheikh would of course be lull
acceptance by him of obligations of Qatar Treaty ox 191b,
' which there would be advantage, if possible, in converting
into an "heirs and successors" treaty). Unusual nature of
concession which this would represent, particularly in view

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Content

The file contains correspondence between the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and the 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. , concerning the terms of the treaty of 1916 between the British Government and Qatar.

The papers discuss the fact that the 1916 treaty was not made binding on the Shaikh of Qatar's heirs and successors, which was particularly important by 1934, given the negotiations over a Qatar oil concession; and concerns over how easy it would be to make revisions to the treaty. The omission is described as an 'oversight' on the part of the British Government. Also discussed is the question of the recognition of an heir apparent, and the definition of British jurisdiction in Qatar. The 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. also reports a request from the Shaikh of Qatar for permission to import in excess of his annual quota of 500 rifles, and permission to purchase machine guns and armoured cars. The British were prepared to concede the former, but not the latter.

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (8 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 8; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-8; these numbers are printed, and are not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 30/96 'The Qatar Treaty of 1916' [‎5r] (11/20), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3816, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100046464649.0x00000c> [accessed 9 June 2026]

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