ملف ٢٢\٢٣ III مؤتمر الكويت [و‎‎٦‎٣] (٢٠٠/١٢٥)

□oat aerloua. raid had taicen arlc ^ waa a ^^ta of
extreae indignation, I perauaded hiti to hold hia hand,
reatrain hia peox)lft froia counter raids, and keex ) hia
delegates at Basrcih. to await a full explanatlon 0
inquiries by British officers have now extended to three
weeks and have conclusively proved a deliberate and
destructive Invasion, of the territory of * Iraq while the
Conference was actually sitting*.,
2 8 The Government of 'Iraq now asks that in place of
reprisals the measures l§.id down by the League of Nations
viz the cutting off of supplies 0 In imposing this patient
attitude on King Faisal I have strained my influence with
him to the very utmost, and I greatly fear that it would
not stand the additional strain which would be involved
by urging hlii to Instruct his delegates to continue the
Conference after this aggression on the part of Najd has
been proved, and before any restitution or apology h&s.
been received from Najd* Faisal must think of his own
reputation with his subjects and dare not take action
which would be represented by the restive Assembly now
sitting as a complete sacrifice of national honour*
i
Critics of the Treaty and Agreements,in the Assembly would
be certain to seize on our refusal to bring pressure to
bear on Ibn Sa*ud In accordance with the precepts of the
League of Nations as a proof that we would not carry out
our promise to defend ’Iraq if in the least inconvenient
to us. These arguments would be reinforced by the fact that
It Is notorious that the very first move towards cutting
off the supplies of Najd would bring the Sultan .to his knees
so that the frontier of ’Iraq could be secure.! adequately
against future trouble without any cost or trouble to His
V
Majesty’s Government.
Some weeks ago the mere rumour that orders to cut off
✓
supplies had already Issued caused by a steamer which was.
expected at Bahrain not eallljig sau&ed alarm throughout NaJd