Page 94 - Arabian Studies (II)

84 Arabian Studies II
firm of Cox and Co., hoping to meet Sayyid Mustafa. In January
1921 Goldie was told by the Resident that there was nothing to gain
in waiting in Aden to see Sayyid Mustafa. At the same time Holmes
and Craufurd, back in Aden, received instructions from their otlice
in London not to attempt any negotiations.30
Britain was evidently alarmed that by permitting the IdnsI to
grant concessions, the other Powers would be reminded that no
decision had been taken as to the sovereignty of large parts of the
former Turkish Empire in south-west Arabia. Yet in other respects
there was no reason for the British refusal to permit the sale of
concessions, for Idris! sovereignty over Farasan had been recognized
in the Anglo-ldrlsI treaty of 1917.
At this point it is necessary to return to Rushton’s attempt to
secure the Farasan concession. Early in 1923 he requested permission
to commence drilling in the islands but Aden was informed that no
authorisation could be granted until ‘the status of the islands is
defined by the entry into force of a Treaty of Peace with
Turkey’.31 When, however, the status of Farasan was not defined in
the draft treaty with Turkey, Aden was instructed ‘to regard with
benevolence’ any attempts made by Rushton ‘or any other British
subjects’ to secure the concession. Aden was further instructed to
show preference to Rushton’s demarches: he was to receive ‘such
unofficial assistance in this connection as may appear proper’. 3 2
Three months elapsed before Rushton sent out to Aden a Mr.
Heald who stated that the original concession was in the hands of a
group called Reefs Syndicate Ltd., for which he (Heald) held full
powers of attorney to act in securing the concession.3 3 In Aden
Heald was advised by the Resident to visit Fazl-ud Din, a British
official attached to the IdrisI, in Hodeidah for suggestions as to the
best procedure to adopt. In February 1924 he proceeded to JTzan to
open negotiations, but from the very outset they took an unfavour­
; able course. Ba Suhay, one of the IdrlsT’s leading councillors,
informed Heald that Sayyid ‘AIT, following his accession, declined to
i\ recognize the validity of the concession granted by Turkey: the
\ IdrisI refused to recognize the terms of the Treaty of Lausanne: by
Protocol 12 of Article 19 it was clearly stated that concessions
granted by the Ottomans would remain in force even in territories
detached from the Ottoman Empire. The discussions in JTzan ended
with the IdrTsT recognizing that Heald had ‘a moral right’ of priority
over the other companies provided his proposed terms were equal to
those offered by other companies. By this time the British
Government’s position had changed and on 26 February Heald was
. told that no official pressure would be put on the IdrTsT in favour of
any British applicant.3 4