File 1166/1925 'Arabia: Nejd; negotiations with Ibn Saud regarding Iraq-Nejd question and Trans-Jordan boundary; Sir G Clayton's mission; Bahra agreement, 2nd November, 1925' [‎130v] (267/769)

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The arrangements for my journey to the place of meeting with
Ibn Sa‘ud had been made by Mr. Jordan. I was informed that
Ibn Sa‘ud had provided accommodation for the mission in a special
camp at Bahra and that he was despatching two motor cars and a
number of camels to transport us and our effects from Nuzla a
suburb just outside the lines of defence around Jedda, to Bahra
King Ali, on his part, had kindly offered to place his motor car at
my disposal as far as Nuzla.
The journey was duly carried out according to the above pro
gramme. I left Jedda at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, the 10th October
and arrived at Bahra at noon. I was accompanied to Bahra by
Mr. Antonius and Mr. Harvey, while Mr. Jordan came with me as
far as Nuzla, where we changed cars. I thought it preferable to
leave Taufiq Bey Suwaidi at Jedda until such time as I became
engaged in discussions over ‘Iraq matters which might require his
co-operation.
Immediately upon my arrival at the reception tent, which had been
provided for my use, Ibn Sa‘ud entered, accompanied by certain
members of his entourage. We had a brief interview of some twenty
minutes, which was confined to an exchange of greetings and
courtesies, and was marked by a tone of particular cordiality. Shortly
after the interview I repaired to my private living tent, where I sent
a message to Ibn Sa‘ud expressing my desire to return his visit at
any time which would be convenient to him. The time he selected
was 5 p.m., when the second interview took place.
The second interview, which was also markedly cordial in char
acter, went somewhat beyond the mere exchange of greetings, but
did not extend to any detailed discussion of questions at issue. It
lasted about half-an-hour, during which I explained to Ibn Sa‘ud that
1 had come with instructions to discuss certain specified matters and
with power to conclude such agreements as might be arrived at;
I added that I was also prepared to discuss generally with him any
other questions which he might wish to represent to His Majesty’s
Government. I emphasized the fact that I regarded my visit as an
exceptional opportunity, which was unlikely to recur, of coming to a
clear understanding in regard to outstanding questions, and of
discussing any other matters which affected the interests of Great
Britain and of Nejd. Ibn Sa‘ud replied with cordial protestations
of welcome, and more than once during the interview reiterated his
belief that the interests of Great Britain and Nejd were not only
closely connected but also coincident. He made a great point of his
sinceie desire to stand well with His Majesty’s Government and to
do everything in his power to promote British interests, being con
vinced that by so doing he would be serving the best interests of his
own country. The interview was brought to an end by the advent
of sunset and the customary prayer. In taking my leave, I assented
to Ibn Sa'ud’s request for a further conversation that evening.
The third interview took place at 8 p.m. in my reception tent, and
Ibn Sa‘ud was again unattended. The conversation was less formal
than on previous occasions, and I endeavoured to pave the way for
the commencement of detailed discussions. I again explained to
Ibn Sa‘ud that my mission was directly concerned with outstanding
questions between Nejd on the one hand and 'Iraq and Trans-Jordan