File 87/1926 Pt 2 'Arabia: Bin Saud: Relations with H.M.G. Revision of Treaty.' [‎521v] (730/840)

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Hejaz-Nejd Affairs.
23. At the outset of our conversations I thought it
make it quite clear to Ibn Sa'ucl, as , had already done to Kkig^fr
that my mission was in no way concerned with the unfortunate
conflict between Nejd and the Hejaz. He fully realized this and
appeared to understand clearly the position which His Maiesn v
Government had taken up with regard to this question,' though he
g-ave no indication of welcoming their mediation. He seized th
occasion however, to assure me that his action in attacking the Heinz ^
had not been dictated by any spirit of aggression and that he would
be prepared to hand it over to any authority approved by the Moslem
world in general, provided that the administration was conducted in
accordance with rules to be agreed upon by representatives of
Moslem opinion, and designed to afford the greatest possible facilities
for the performance of the pilgrimage. It was clear to me, however
that Ibn Sa ud would never admit the re-establishment in the Heinz
of any member of the Hashimite family, to whom his nersonal
enmity is bitter and deeply rooted.
Treaty between His Majesty's Government and Ibn Sa'ud.
24. On the 1st November, when the two Agreements had been dis
posed of, Ibn Sa‘ud raised the question of the existing Treaty between
himself and His Majesty’s Government and, as I had been led by
certain indications to expect, expressed his strong desire for the con
clusion of a new Treaty, the terms of which should be more in accord
ance with the enhanced position and status of Nejd. I replied, in the
terms of my instructions, that the existing situation was not’one in
which His Majesty’s Government could contemplate entering into any
such negotiations but, in response to his urgent request, I informed
him that I would communicate his wishes to my Government. There
is no doubt that this is a question to which Ibn Sa‘ud attaches
extreme importance, and I attribute such success as may have at
tended my negotiations in some measure to his desire to produce a
favourable atmosphere for the future revision of the existing Treaty,
and to a genuine conviction that his interests will be best served by
friendship and alliance wdth Great Britain. I shall set forth my
observations on this matter in a separate communication.
A cknowledgments\.
25. I wish to record my gratitude for the assistance which was at
all times forthcoming from the British authorities in Egypt and the
Sudan during the passage of my Mission through those countries ;
and I would mention specially the valuable help accorded by Mr.
S. R. Jordan, His Britannic Majesty’s (Acting) Agent and Consul
at Jedda, and Commander H. Woodward, D.S.O.', Senior Naval
Officer, Red Sea.
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Taufiq Bey Suwaidi, the representative of the ‘Iraq Government,
gave me his loyal co-operation throughout, and I take this oppor
tunity of expressing my thanks for his sendees.
Mr - E C Harvey, as clerk and stenographer to the Mission, per
formed his duties to my satisfaction in circumstances of some diffi
culty and discomfort.