Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎59r] (118/802)

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(3) If things went on like this, a massacre of Jews by Arabs was inevitable.
Mr. Philby then asked Ibn Sand, he said, whether he considered the Zionist policy
right (“ haqq ”) or wrong (“ dhulm ”= tyranny, injustice), and Ibn Baud
replied, without hestitation : ‘ ‘ dhulm. ’ ’
117. While it is true, as was stated in paragraph 79 last month, that the
Mufti of Palestine made no reference to the Palestine question in public, it has
been ascertained that several of the speakers at the meeting at Muna expressed
sympathy with the Palestine Arabs, and that at least some of them were
applauded.
118. Ibn Baud showed great anxiety about Iraq, which he considers to
be in the hands of pro-Turks. The recent replacement of men whom with all
their faults he considered Arabs has revived the fear of Turkish encroachment
on Arab lands which he has always feared, and the Turkish policy concerning
Alexandretta has not tended to calm those fears. Ibn Baud has, however, been
greatly touched by the splendid reception which the Amir Baud is reported to
nave been given in Bagdad.
119. For some time the Saudi Government have refused to continue the
discussion of the lie of the frontier between 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 and Nejd, on the
ground that they required more information. They were apparently intensely
suspicious of His Majesty’s Government in this matter. A discussion with
Sheikh Yusuf Yasin during Mr. Renders visit (paragraph 92) ended in a
suggestion from Sheikh Yusuf Yasin that a joint commission should make a
survey and a map, and that the two parties should then try to come to an agree
ment by discussion on the basis of the old map and the new one. It was pointed
out to Sheikh Yusuf Yasin that at least this would involve a greater expenditure
in time and money, since there would have to be a delimitation commission after
the discussion, but it was finally decided to recommend the proposal to His
Majesty’s Government as the one most likely to lead to a settlement, and as
being free from any fundamental objection, since it seems certain that in any
case the frontier will eventually be delimited according to the places shown
on the old map.
120. It is reported in paragraph 6336 of the Aden Summary that notice
of the impending arrival of the three sons of the Imam at Jedda (paragraph 77)
had been sent to Ibn Baud in advance, and that they were therefore disappointed
and angry to find no one to meet them and to have to land with the ordinary
pilgrims. It is true that they were not met, but it seems that the message
announcing their arrival had gone astray. The Saudi Government were much
concerned at the misunderstanding, and throughout the stay of Saif-al-Islam
Husain and his two brothers they did their best to eft'ace the memory of the
unhonoured arrival by showing them the greatest courtesy and lavish hospitality
in Mecca, Medina and Taif.
121. The Legation have secured a copy of an open letter which is stated
to have been distributed widely in the Yemen, calling upon the Imam to replace
his son Ahmad by Husain as heir apparent, and saying that otherwise civil war
must occur before the Imam’s honourable coffin has reached the cemetery. The
Saudi Government seem to hold similar views. They regard the Yemen as
seething with indignation against the foreign Minister, a Turk believed to
be in Italian pay, and his protector, Saif-al-Islam Ahmad, the heir apparent,
and consider that unless Ahmad and Raghib are removed from their positions
civil war will break out on the death of the Imam, or perhaps before. Their
attitude if this should happen would be neutrality; they withdrew after the
Saudi-Yemen war, and they are not going to change their policy in that respect.
If both parties appealed to Ibn Baud he would consult the rest of the Moslem
world as to the best means of putting an end to the conflict.
122 . The mission from Iraq, headed by Jamil Madfai, which is on its way
to Sana to invite the Imam to adhere to the Saudi-Iraq Treaty, reached Jedda
via Egypt on the 30th March.
123. In return for his kindness to Mr. Philby the Sheikh of Shabwa was
invited to come on the pilgrimage and to stay with Mr. Philby in Mecca. He did
so. According to Mr. Philby the Imam of'the Yemen, excited by Mr. Philby’s
journey, which he took as an attempt by Ibn Baud to secure fresh adherents, wrote
to various sheikhs, including the Sheikh of Shabwa, urging them to come under
his rule. The Sheikh of Shabwa is said to have replied : “ First there came
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