'Files 61/12 and 61/16 (D 80) Treaty between Bin Saud and H. M. Govt' [‎166r] (338/408)

[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.
❖
I
EASTERN (A RABIA). LJune ^ m7 ,
CONFIDENTIAL. ^
SECTION 1.
[E 2586/119/91J No . L
Sir G. Clayton to Sir Austen Chamberlain.
Sir, EI . .. ..
you th^tT/tefthe 'o' 11 ! misSion t0 the
you that, alter the conclusion of the treaty, the King of the, Heiaz and of Neid had a
His"Majesty's^overnment"' 1 ' 1 me ' SUbStanCe ^ M 1 to to
wnnlH n ','1'' ex P ressi ng the earnest hope that the treaty now concluded
effective co ooeTa^onln! a "^r ex , c ? ge 0 ! h ' endl y sentiments, but as a prelude to
enecuve co-operation in a combined policy designed to combat the various inflnenrm
which were actively or potentially hostile to botl parties. influences
follows 6 :— 1116 1>0wers with which he was concerned into four categories, as
(a ' ) «" S ( Sla - ^ 0t a Wh0m Were defini tely working against himself
1 (neat Britain and influencing other Powers in that direction. He
TnrlS? p PV ' 1Ce i At ^ eS ^ n 0n the P art of Bussia t0 form a Pact with
( r f an J , Af f hanistan , wlth the cbject Of hostile action against
■ leat Britain, and had actually been approached indirectly with a view
to inducing him to join their combination.
T a I iJI 1^!? conn fction he stated that the Russian consul-general at
Jeddah had urged him to accept an invitation for his son Feisal to visit
Moscow oilicially, offering as an inducement the employment of Russian
mnuence to secure his recognition by Persia and Afghanistan, lie had
fn 0 ^ 1 ^ 61 ?^ fa ! ling into u an y such net ' but he quoted the proposal as an
instance of the intrigues which were going on. Incidentally, he exhibited
considerable animus against the Persians, whom he described as sunk in
/, x ^ligious degradation and unfit to associate with good Moslems
(6.) Italy and 1 ranee, although not hostile, took every opportumtv of
advancing their interests at the expense of those of Great Britain. He
quoted many instances of Italian activity, and expressed profound
distrust of the policy which they appeared to be following. He was in
touch with the Imam Yahya, and he hoped that their differences were
capable of peaceful settlement, but he strongly deprecated foreign inter
ference, and regarded with suspicion the present Italian relations with
the lemen.
(c.) Egypt did not cause him any serious apprehension, but neither the King of
i^gypt nor his (xovernment could be described as exactly friendlv. He
had some fear that extremist elements in Egypt might try to foment
trouble with him m an endeavour to embarrass His Majesty's Govern
ment, with whom he was now in friendly treaty relations. He gave as
an instance the attitude of the Egyptian Government in regard to the
question of the Mahmal, maintaining that he was perfectlv within his
rights in refusing to accept an armed escort, which experience had now
proved to be quite unnecessary, and in forbidding certain ceremonies and
superstitious practices in connection with the observance of the
pilgrimage, which were contrary to the tenets of Islam as laid down bv
the Prophet.
(d.) Iraq and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan would always be hostile to him as long as they were
under the rule of members of the Hashimite family, all of whom cherished
feelings of bitter enmity towards him. He observed in this connection
that it was significant that difficulties with Iraq always coincided with
the presence of a Ministry formed of men who were under King Feisal's
influence; for instance, there had been little or no trouble when Sandun
Bey was Prime Minister, but the situation had deteriorated since Hnfir
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. had assumed office. Again, the friction and delays which had
marked the proceedings of the tribunals charged with the settlement of
claims for raids, especially in the case of Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , seemed to noint tr
hostile influence exerted against the interests of his people '
[147 i-1]