TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1927, Page 4

TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP

BRITAIN, 11K.JAZ, AND NEAP. Rd'dßY, Sept. ”3. The text is issued of a treaty of friendship and good understanding between ■ Croat Britain and licjnss and Nejd and its dependencies, which was signed at Jeddah on May 30th., and ratified there on September 17th., together with Notes exchanged relative thereto.

The treaty was negotiated hv Sir Gilbert Clayton and the Amir Faisal, son of the King of Heja/, and Nejd.

Article one provides for British recognition *1)1 the complete and absolute independence of tho Dominions ol the King of Ilejaa and Nejd and its do-

| "iideiicies. Article two provides for ponce and friendship between the contracting parties, each undertaking to use all available means to prevent its territories being used as a base for unlawful activities directed against tranquillity in those territories.

Of the other articles three and four provide that pilgrimages of British subjects and British protected persons and property and safeguard while in Hejaz, and that in tho event of the death of any such pilgrims their possessions shall he forwarded to their rightful heirs through the British agent in Jeddah. Article five provides for mutual recognition of the national status of all subjects, it being understood that the principles of international law in force between 'independent Governments shall he repented. Article six provides for the maintenance of friendly relations by flejaz and Nejd with the territories of Kuwait and Bahrain, and the Oman Coast, wiio are in special treaty relations with Liu- British Government. Article -seven outturns an undertalc-' ing to co-operate with the British Government in Hie suppression of the slave trade.

In the Notes exchanged Great Britain adheres to her definition of the frontier between Hojnz and Trnnsjordania, and while Flejaz finds it impossible in the present circumstances to effect a final settlement of this question, an undertaking is given to maintain the status quo jin the main Aqaba district, and not to interfere in its administration until favourable circumstances permit a final settle-

fn a further Note tile British Government expresses its inability to renounce the right of manumitting slaves, which had long been practised by British Consular officers, and which enables them to liberate any slave who freely presents liim.self with a request for liberation and repatriation to his country or origin.

ft is explained that' the British Government's insistance is solely based on humanitarian grounds, and is not meant as interference with flejaz affairs.