!['File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎81v] (173/391)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000221/IOR_R_15_1_572_0173.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎81v] (173/391)")
'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [81v] (173/391)
The record is made up of 1 volume (192 folios). It was created in 4 Apr 1939-16 Jan 1942. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Enclosure 1.
Mr, Stonehewer-Bird to King 'Abdul Aziz.
Your Majesty, Jedda, February 2, 1940.
HIS Excellency Sheikh Hafez Wahba on the 18th January conveyed to me
at your Majesty's command an acknowledgment of my letter of the 17th January
regarding Dr. Grobba and at the same time requested me to communicate to the
Government in the United Kingdom your Majesty's views on this matter. On
the 21st January Sheikh Hafez informed me that permission was not being
granted to Dr. Grobba to return.
I am authorised to inform your Majesty that the Government in the United
Kingdom have learnt with interest of your attitude to Dr. Grobba's visit and
applaud the resolution with which your Majesty has acted. They feel that
having taken this stand it is necessary for your Majesty's dignity and from every
point of view that you should abide by it. They are convinced that you need
have no apprehensions about the consequences. It is almost unthinkable to suggest
that Italy would break the Middle East Agreement and risk war with Great
Britain for the sake of German representation in Saudi Arabia. The Govern
ment in the United Kingdom have always tried to advise your Majesty in your
own best interests. In this case the advice was based on the sincere belief that
the misunderstandings to which the reception of a diplomat of Dr. Grobba's
reputation would give rise and to the offensive which he might attempt would be
as embarrassing and dangerous for your Majesty as for the Government in the
United Kingdom. Had they had the slightest grounds to suppose that a refusal
might have serious consequences they would certainly have warned your Majesty.
If, nevertheless, your Majesty feels that Italian retaliation is possible they invite
you to read again paragraph 6 of the letter which the Prime Minister addressed
to your Majesty on the 23rd March and also paragraph 2 of Sir Reader Bullard 's
letter of the 30th April. The Government feel that these two messages will show
that they regard your Majesty's interests as their own.
I have, &c.
F. H. W. STONEHEWER-BIED.
Enclosure 2.
Mr. Stonehewer-Bird to King 'Abdul Aziz.
Your Majesty, Jedda, February 2, 1940.
addition to the question of Dr. Grobba's reception, on which I have
addressed a separate letter to your Majesty, his Excellency Sheikh Hafez Wahba
laised other matters on which he stated your Majesty wished to learn the views
ot the Government in the United Kingdom.
I duly communicated with the Government and have now received their
reply.
I am able to assure your Majesty that the Government in the United
u ave C 1 mp l , i® co " fidence in your Majesty's loyalty. They fully realise
the difficulties which have beset your path in recent years.' For your numerous
marks of fi iendship they are and will always be grateful
in t""'i'' ""'h'J wtaj"! the difficulties which now face the Governmept
in the United Kingdom. They are studying the possibility of supplying arms
will r^ 10 ^ re » r f f that ^ cannot hold out very strong hope thft they
will be able for the present to meet your Majesty's request in this matter.
V(M , | 'f. /V i'l',,-f ,|'"f/"' t0 be able t0 inform your Majesty that the
purchased in India up to £100,000 sterling^D^^
svmr»athpHrailv tiiclo- s Government will always consider
thk Se ?Til g the P. ros Perity of Saudi Arabia, but in
this connexion it will be appreciated that while the resources of His Maipstv's
euo V rmous ent ^ aPPear COnsiderable the demands Z these ^onSs are
I have, &c.
F. H. W. STONEHEWER-BIRD.
About this item
- Content
The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and reports relating to the affairs of Saudi Arabia. Most of the correspondence is between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Political Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in Bushire, the Foreign Office in London, the Political Agencies in Kuwait and Bahrain, the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. in London, and the Government of India.
The volume covers the build up to and outbreak of the Second World War and thus much of the correspondence focuses on this subject. Topics include:
- the activities of the Germans, Italians, and Japanese in the region;
- Ibn Sa'ud's allegiance to Britain and the Allies;
- Ibn Sa'ud's anxiety about Hashemite dominance in Syria and potential attack from hostile Arab nations;
- anti-Allied sentiment in the region;
- the financial and political contribution of the United States of America.
Other subjects covered by the volume are:
- the maintenance of law and order in the Kingdom;
- the presence of community feeling and national identity;
- Captain De Gaury's journeys in Saudi Arabia, including a report on agricultural development at Kharj, and the objection to his proposed tour of all of Arabia;
- Amir Sa'ud's trip to India for medical treatment;
- the anti-British activities of St John Philby and his subsequent arrest in India.
At the back of the volume (folios 177-186) are internal office notes.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (192 folios)
- Arrangement
The volume is arranged chronologically.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbering is written in pencil, circled, and located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. The first three folios are marked 1A, 1B, and 1C respectively, then the sequence continues from 2 as normal. There is one other foliation system, written in pencil and inconsistent.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [81v] (173/391), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/572, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023555604.0x0000ae> [accessed 27 March 2025]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023555604.0x0000ae
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023555604.0x0000ae">'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎81v] (173/391)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023555604.0x0000ae"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000221/IOR_R_15_1_572_0173.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000221/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/1/572
- Title
- 'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, 1r:1v, 1br:1cv, 2r:43r, 44v:58v, 60r:166r, 166r:189v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence