'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎37r] (73/565)

interviews or received in audience in a big well furnished hall and eventually sent
back with suitable presents of cash, cloths, arms, etc. All this goes on daily in a
perfectly regular methodical way which itself is creditable and characteristic
of this wide-awake ruler.
(5) Yesterday Bin Saud mentioned two things, both of which seem to be
fresh light he has received. Why, he said, he wondered, Thamir-al-Mansur and
Yusuf-al-Mansur, were arrested and imprisoned by Government. The latter was
possibly an intriguer and agitated against the English as result of a^i-British and
cm^-Foreign propaganda from Syria, but the former is up to nothing, he is harmless.
Farhan Beg replied that he did not know anything of it, but that these two might
be of thejoolish lot who were uselessly trying to get independent government not
knowing that they were not fit for it in any sense. The second thing was r Bin
Saud said, he had learned that Government had started to send cases for decision
or arbitration to Saiyid Talib, who was also employed occasionally in settling diffi
cult tribal disputes, etc. If this was true the Government were making a mistake
as this would give Talib his longed for opportunity of gaining influence, which was
wholly undesirable, for Talib if ever he gets any hold on people, must indulge in
his old pastime of intrigue, and against whom will that intrigue be directed ?—
against the British Government itself. This he said. Government would find to be
a true prophe.sy sooner or later.
I am afraid that I am becoming rather prosiac in reporting these remarks and
the like ; but I prefer to try and let you know all 1 hear, rather as much of the
interesting talks of this interesting gentleman, as I can remember, and be reminded
of by my companion, Farhan Beg, who is very helpful to me.
Enclosure V to Serial No. (40).
Memorandum No. 18-C., dated 5th-6th August 1920.
From—Khan Sahib Saiyid Siddiq Hassan , Indian Assistant, Bahrein (on deputa
tion with the Nejd Pilgrimage, Camp Riyadh),
To—I'he Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahr in.
I beg to report that since the receipt of your letter of 27th July 1920 embody
ing Government's approval of Bin Saud's proposal to send a mission to Mecca
although Bin Saud had expressed his satisfaction and pleasure on the Civil Com
missioner's answer yet a tendency was noticed on his part to minimize the advantage
of the proposed mission and for the greater part of severely criticizing and blaming
(if 1 may say abusing) King Husain. The curious part of it was that Bin Saud
did so in hi> private conversation with Farhan Beg and myself and at the same
time repeatedly said that he had been telling his people quite different that is good
things about the Sharif so that their feeling might be softened and the Haj and
a rapprochement made easier, etc. He would not for two days (during 4 interviews)
after receipt of the above reply of Civil Commissioner appoint or declare whom he
was going to depute, nor the number of men he would send to Mecca.
Under these circumstances I asked for a special interview in the evening and
accompanied by Farhan Beg saw Bin Saud alone on 3rd instant. After ordi
nary exchange of inquiries after health and comfort and usual civilities, I said
that I had been waiting to hear his orders and decision about the mission which he
had himself proposed as the last resort and which on receipt of your letter on 1st
instant, he had promised to despatch with us on Thursday the 5th instant and that
I should like to write and inform you of the definite decision, etc., in good time.
Bin Saud replied that he had the matter in view but that as he had been telling
us he did not see much use, etc.
I then asked for his kindness and courtesy to let me speak about the matter and
he said " Samm " that is " Bismillah " do so. I then slowly and cautiously re
viewed the whole history in brief of the differences and disputes between him and the
Sharif as I had seen the correspondence going on on this. Bin Saud-King Husain,
subject for the last 2 years especially reminding him of his own letters and communi
cations submitted to Government through Bahrein pointing out that he himself