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duly half-masted their flags. Ibn Saud sent telegrams of condolence to
King Ghazi and the Amir of 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 .
55. Certain matters affecting 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 , Koweit and Bahrein are
reserved for the following section as they closely concern Anglo-Saudi relations.
III .—Relations with Powers outside Arabia.
56. Following on earlier consultations of an informal kind, the Saudi
Government were informed by Sir Andrew Ryan on the 6th February that His
Majesty’s Government would welcome a suggested unofficial visit by the Saudi
Heir Apparent to England next summer, if this comes off, the Prince will also
visit France and probably Italy.
57. Fuad Bey intimated to Sir Andrew Ryan on the 7th February the King’s
distaste for general negotiations on the lines indicated in paragraph 22 of the last
report, adding, however, a strong affirmation of his wish to get as many questions
as possible settled on their several merits. His Majesty’s Government have
acquiesced. Some progress has already been made with two questions, Bahrein
transit dues and the Koweit blockade. The King has agreed that in each case the
position should be examined by a local conference of delegates in the hope of their
being able to submit agreed recommendations. His Majesty’s Government have
informed the Legation of their readiness still to offer certain concessions to
1 bn Saud in regard to his eastern and south-eastern frontiers, but they wish the
advance to be made more slowly than if the possibility of a comprehensive settle
ment of major questions were in view and they would like to get the Koweit
question settled first. They are still studying the subject of attempting to secure
a satisfactory clarification of the Saudi- 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 frontier, a matter to which
the Saudi Government reverted independently in February to the extent of
reasserting after a long silence their claim to Thaniyya Taraif (paragraph 250
of the report for October).
58. Various other questions have been discussed with Fuad Bey, including
the possibility of an agreement between the Saudi Government and Cable and
Wireless (Limited), at a conference at Jedda, which has been agreed to in
principle; the question of real property legislation; and the question of the Saudi
nationality regulations. A note on the present position in regard to the last
named is attached for the benefit of British authorities, whom it has not been
possible to keep informed of all the stages.
59. Mention should have been made in the last report of an identic note to
the British and French missions in Jedda, in which, on the 18th January, the
Saudi Government proposed a technical conference to arrange for the recon
ditioning of the Hejaz Railway, without prejudice to their views as to its owner
ship and alleged Wakf character. They had assured themselves beforehand of a
generally sympathetic attitude on the part of the British and French Govern
ments, but details still require consideration.
60. The French Charge d’Affaires returned to Jedda from Sana on the
10th February, but left within a few days for a short holiday in Syria (para
graph 25 of the last report).
61. The Italian Charge has again shown no special activity, but see
paragraph 42 above regarding the despatch of would-be Saudi airmen to Massawa.
62. The Netherlands Charge has not yet returned from Sana (paragraph 27
of the last report). News was received from London in February that he had
been appointed Dutch representative at Bagdad as well.
63. M. Guertik (paragraph 29 of the last report), whose card reads “ Agent
general pour le Commerce de 1’U.R.S.S.,” left for Istanbul, his headquarters, on
the 10th February. It now appears that he had already been in Hudeida before
he arrived in Jedda on the 7th January, and that he paid a previous visit to Jedda
in 1931.
64. The dream of Lieutenant-Colonel Sherif Ibrahim Depui has come true
(paragraph 314 of the report for December). He was appointed Belgian consul
by a Royal decree of the 30th January. He disclaims all interest in politics, and
states that he is severely restricted as regards personal commerce. Studv he savs
is the lure.
65. The Egyptian Government have given 20,000 ardebs (about 3,800
bushels) of wheat for the poor of Medina, and a collection of money for their relief
has been started in Egypt. These developments may be connected with the efforts