Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎148v] (297/802)

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254. Mr. Alan White arrived here from Hasa on the 4th August to take
charge of the Jedda office of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company in
the absence of Mr. Lenahan (reference paragraph 223 of last month s report).
He travelled via Egypt. The Umm-al-Qura came out on the 30th August with
the information that on the 23rd oil had been struck by the company at the
borings at A1 Habr, in Hasa. This would appear at least premature, as the
company’s representatives in Jedda know nothing of so important a development.
255. During the absence of Mr. Twitchell, M. van de Poll has been in
charge of the operations of the Saudi Arabian Mining Syndicate in this country.
He has been back and forth between Jedda and the mine, taking a circuitous
route, during August, whilst Mr. Shanks has been busy with a party of some
sixty labourers roadmaking along the direct alignment Jedda-Mahd-adh-
Dhahab now decided upon. He is making fair progress and it is understood that
the surface of the road will ultimately be treated with oil to bind and “ seal the
loose top sand. The soil is expected under this treatment to “ pack well, and
it is hoped the method will prove as satisfactory as it is stated to be in other
parts of the world. It is gathered a pier out to deep water may be constructed by
the syndicate some 3 or 4 miles north of Jedda.
256. The two aircraft which flew down from Taif to welcome the Amir
Baud returned on the 29th August. It was reported in the press that earlier in
the month they had flown at Taif and had taken up certain Government officials.
The Saut-al-Hejaz stated that the Saudi students in Italy have now completed
their training as pilots. Ibn Baud, however, was less optimistic on the subject
in conversation with Captain de Gaury (reference paragraph 243 of last month’s
report) early in July. The King said that his air force was not progressing
quickly enough ; that two aircraft had already been “ written oft’ ” by the students
in Italy, and that it would probably be necessary to extend their course from one
year to eighteen months, until, in fact, they could be made efficient. Ibn Baud
spoke of using his two best pilots in a weekly air-mail service he proposed to
establish between the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the Red Sea, via Hasa, Riyadh and Taif.
American aircraft appear to be favoured at present.
257. Reports have been received over the past two months of an impending
reorganisation of the Saudi military forces. Details are lacking, but certain
draft regulations have been drawn up and are understood to be under Royal
consideration. The wearing of uniform has been prescribed for certain elements
in the forces, an unpopular decision with tribesmen.
258. The internal situation has remained undisturbed, except for definite
signs of a determination of the authorities in Mecca to infuse new vigour into
their Committee of Virtue (reference paragraph 195 of report for June). An
active official with considerable powers has been appointed, and the backsliding
Meccan, unless he would be scourged, is now condemned once more to the old
routine of Islamic piety. Jedda has felt less noticeably the effect of Virtue
Resurgent, but the use of the radio may, it is said, be limited to reception of the
news. Virtue might well be roused by that nightly violation of the ether which
passes here for music.
259. (Reference paragraph 231 of last month’s report.) The selling rates
for Saudi silver riyals during the month gradually rose from 16,8 to 17,16^ and
from 10,1 to 10,11 at the end of the month for gold and Egyptian pounds
respectively. Hoarding was more definitely reported, and the manager of
Messrs. Gellatly, Hankey and Co. (Sudan) (Limited) here stated confidentially
that the firm’s London office had recently been approached by the Saudi Arab
Legation there regarding freight rates on a consignment of £90,000 worth of
nyal, half- and quarter-riyal pieces. This consignment was expected to arrive
here shortly and would be followed by others. Local speculators may therefore
find their exploitation of the temporary shortages of silver currency cut
disastrously short. It is understood from London that the Saudi Arabian Mining
Syndicate were also approached by the Minister of Finance for a loan of 1 million
silver riyals, but were unable to comply.
260. The Umm-al-Qura of the 3rd August contained an announcement by
the Ministry of Finance that all private car-owners must submit to the Ministry
at the end of each month a statement showing quantities of petrol, oil, grease,
spare parts, tyres and accessories used in respect of each car, the statement to be
supported by invoices and receipts. Private owners were, furthermore, forbidden
to carry any fare-paying passengers, only members of the owner’s family to be