Coll 6/19 'Arabia: (Saudi Arabia) Hejaz-Nejd Annual Report.' [‎110v] (221/540)

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It may also be mentioned that when the Saudi heir apparent was in Palestine
from the 14th to the IGth August, he and the local Arabs were allowed great
freedom. His own attitude was correct, but the Arabs, who received him with
enthusiasm, talked a great deal of politics. Among those who visited him was a
deputation of Syrians, which, with other matters germane to the subject of this
sub-section, can more conveniently be dealt with in paragraphs 71 ff. below.
(B) With Powers outside Arabia.
(1) British Commonwealth of Nations.
His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
55. The relations between Saudi Arabia and Great Britain were friendly
and, indeed, cordial throughout 1935. There were no overt signs of Ibn Saud’s
fundamental mistrust of British policy, and there was much evidence of his desire
to stand well with His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom. The
ordinary diplomatic routine was varied by two important interludes. The Saudi
heir apparent arrived in London on the 17th June, accompanied by a small suite
which included Fuad Bey Hamza. The visit was technically private, but official
hospitality was extended to the party for a fortnight, and they stayed on
privately until the 22nd July. Great and successful efforts were made to
entertain the Amir suitably to his position, and during the period of his private
stay he visited the three service reviews under official auspices. The naval review,
in particular, impressed him greatly. Business was discussed at the Foreign
Office with Fuad Bey and the Saudi Minister in London, a silent partner, at six
meetings extending from the 24th June to the 18th July. The second interlude
was the visit of His Majesty’s Minister in Jedda to Riyadh, as the King’s guest,
in November. Sir Andrew Ryan, having flown from Cairo to Bagdad and on to
Koweit and Bahrein, landed at Uqair on the 20th November and, after a
strenuous journey, arrived in Riyadh on the 23rd November. He left on the
29th November and reached Jedda on the 3rd December. He and his party,
consisting of Captain de Gaury, who had come with him from Cairo, and two
members of the Jedda staff, who met him at Riyadh, were treated with unbounded
hospitality and distinction. Important discussions took place on a limited
number of subjects.
56. At the end of 1934 His Majesty’s Government were aiming at a
comprehensive settlement of the most important questions outstanding between
them and the Saudi Government. When negotiations were resumed in”Jedda in
January, Ibn Saud, after some hesitation, deprecated this proposal, and asked
that the questions should be discussed on their individual merits. His wishes
were conveyed by Fuad Bey to Sir Andrew Ryan on the 7th February in studiously
disarming language, and His Majesty’s Government agreed to^ fall in with
them. I he following paragraphs show the evolution of the several questions,
not including those of the Bahrein transit dues and the Koweit blockade, which
have been dealt with in paragraphs 41 ff. and 45 ff. above. It should be explained
that theie was a considerable gap in the mam conversations m the early summer
as Fuad Bey left Jedda on the 1st May, and it was agreed that the most important
questions should be reserved for discussion with him in London, whither
Sir Andiew Ryan pioceeded early in June in order to be m time for the
Amir Saud’s visit. Similarly, although His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires had
his hands lull in Jedda m the autumn, certain questions were not pursued there
but were reserved until Sir Andrew Ryan should visit Riyadh.
57. Eastern and South-Eastern Frontiers of Saudi Arabia New
instructions were issued to Sir Andrew Ryan on the 17th January as to how this
question should be handled. His Majesty’s Government contemplated advancing
towards a solution by various stages, beginning with a request for a clear
statement of Ibn Saud s demands. I he instructions indicated various offers
which His Majesty s Government were prepared to make successively. An
attempt by Fuad Bey to stipulate for the direct participation of the coastal rulers
concerned in any eventual settlement has already been described in Darasraoh S3
J_ J , -P , 1 T7" • , 1 ■ 1 ? , more pressed to produce a clear
statement of the King s desiderata. He did this eventually on the 3rd April
ihe Saudi statement was not clear at all points, but it made enormous claims!
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