File 87/1926 Pt 2 'Arabia: Bin Saud: Relations with H.M.G. Revision of Treaty.' [‎543v] (774/840)

ANNEXURE 4.
1. Memorandum No. 1, dated the 11th October, 1925 ;
2. Memorandum No. 2, dated the 12th October, 1925 ;
3. Memorandum No. 3, dated the 14th October, 1925.
Memorandum No. 1, presented by the Sultan of Nejd on the HO*
October, 1925, after the first meeting - .
Summarized Translation.
I he Government of Nejd desire to maintain and strengthen
friendly relations with Great Britain and to live in peace and under
standing with the Governments of ‘Iraq and Trans-Jordan. Unfor
tunately, ‘Iraq, which is ruled by Faisal ibn Husain, and Trans
jordan, which is ruled by his brother ‘Abdullah, have from time to
time committed acts of aggression which make it imperative for us
to insist on our natural frontiers in order the better to resist hostile
acts on the part of those two countries. The British Government,
in a letter from the 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. at Bahrein dated the 23rd
October, 1924, recognised our right to Kaf; and this recognition has
been referred to and upheld on several subsequent occasions. For
all these reasons the Government of Nejd are of opinion that ‘Iraq
and Trans-Jordan should be separated from each other, partly
because of the presence of the two brothers, and partly because of
the inherited rights of Nejd. In other words, the Government of
Nejd assert that the northern frontier of Nejd should extend to Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Rajil, that is to say, to the intersection of meridian 37 E. and
parallel 32 N. ; and that in the south the frontier should start from
the point of meridian 37 E. in the vicinity of Qasr A1 Azraq.
(Unsigned.)
Dated 23rd Rabi‘ el Awwal 1344
(11th October, 1925).
Memorandum No. 2, presented by the Sultan of Nejd on the 12th
October, 1925, after the second meeting.
Summarized Translation.
We have already stated the historical, economic and administrative
ground on which we base our demands with regard to the frontier,
but we are of opinion that before attempting a settlement of the
northern frontier we should deal with the question of Kaf. We find
ourselves unable, in any circumstances, to forgo our rights to
Kaf and the adjoining district, knowing that this would not only
mean the abandonment of natural and indisputable rights, but would
also expose us to a permanent threat. Kaf and its surrounding
villages are intimately connected with the rest of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sirhan,
and are an indispensable economic factor in the life of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. .
We do not think it right that these considerations should be neglected
merely lor the sake of ensuring communication and other interests,
all the more so as we are ready and able to ensure the safety of such
communications ourselves.