Papers of the War Cabinet's Eastern Committee [‎238r] (475/544)

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is hoped bv an international convention to secure the prohibition of the export of arms
and ammunition to all States in Asia Minor and Arabia which do not ask for a European
advisory Power, but, in view of its special position ”
Mil. BALFOUR: “Some relaxation will have to be made in regard to the
Hejaz.”
LORD ROBERT CECIL : Yes. Would not that be better, and then leave out
all the rest ?
LORD CURZON : It is a Foreign Office matter.
SIR HAMILTON GRANT: Meantime, steps should be taken to prevent the
import of arms into the Hejaz, except in the most reasonable quantities.
LORD CURZON : Who will take the steps until we have brought in Italy and
France ? We hold a dominant position in the Red Sea, and have the blockade on
there still.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : We can take steps to prevent an excessive quantity
of arms being imported.
MR. BALFOUR : Would you say, “ but in view of its peculiar position ”
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Yes—“special provision would have to be made with
regard to the Hejaz. Meanwhile, steps should be taken to prevent the excessive
importation of arms into that country.” I have said that we should take steps, but
that is Sir Hamilton Grant’s suggestion.
LORD CURZON : They would be taken by us. Do you mean at and after the
end of the war ?
SIR HAMILTON GRANT: Yes, until definite arrangements have been concluded
with Fiance and Italy.
LORD CURZON : Then all the rest comes out.
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Yes. We will now revert to clause 2 and the re
strictions on sovereignty. Do you want a modification of No. 2?
MR. BALFOUR: I should be content if you put in a few words in the last line,
“ if thev prove to be necessary.” I have not discovered w’hat the restr ctions on
sovereignty are. I do not admit the importation of arms is a restriction. You do not
allow arms to go in unless under certain conditions, and that is no restriction on
sovereignty.
MR. SHUCKBURGH : You are not allowing him to have diplomatic agents at
his Court ?
LORD ROBERT CECIL : No diplomatic status or functions.
MR. SHUCKBURGH: He is to have consular and pilgrimage agents, but they
are not to be diplomatic agents.
LORD ROBERT CECIL : You cannot read the thing without seeing he is put in
a position which a European Power would not be content to occupy.
MR. BALFOUR: As you have mentioned that, I do not know how that is con
sistent with the statement in No. 3, that his foreign relations are to be managed wholly
by himself.
LORD ROBERT CECIL: We do not say that. We say they should not be
controlled.
MR. B \LFOUR : In the amended form, we have practically said that he is to
have nobody controlling his foreign relations.
LORD ROBERT CECIL: Nor will they.
MR. BALFOUR : Then all we do is to restrict ourselves to a diplomatic agent
there. That is not restricting his sovereignty.
MR. SHUCKBURGH : xMay he have an Ambassador at Paris? It is meant to
stop that, but whether it actually does it, I do not know.
[365—43]
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