Saud's chief aim in asking for the Wadi Sirhan is therefore
probably the desire to ensure the safety and freedom from
taxation of his caravans and merchandise moving to and from
Syria and Palestine.
Colonel Knox's proposals for a Buffer State.
Although the political considerations enumerated under
paragraph 1 above would seem to show that Ibn Saud would be
likely to press his claim for the Wadi Sirhan to the extreme
limit, it is possible that the advantages which he would gain
under Colonel Knox's proposals, whereby the High Commissioner
for Palestine would become responsible for the safety of
caravans passing between Syria and Nejd, would induce him to
accept the formation in the Wadi Sirhan of a buffer state under
Nuri Shalaan.
In this he would not be acting unwisely as he would gain
the benefits of free and safe communications with Syria
without the responsibility of administering and policing the
district.
Nor would the establishment of Nuri Shalaan at
Jauf be in any way a military danger to Nejd, in the present
state and strength of the Ruweilah tribe.
It is necessary, however, to examine the responsibilities
which His Majesty's Government would assume in making the High
Commissioner for Palestine responsible for the safety and
freedom from taxation of Nejd caravans.
These caravans would
be moving through a country occupied by their hereditary
enemies and it is difficult to see how any effective control
of the route could be organised unless in the last resort H.M.
Government were prepared to use air action against recalcitrant
tribes or sections who endangered the peace of the district.
This would entail a reversal of present policy and an increased
