Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎54r] (108/802)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
o
EASTERN (Arabia).
CONFIDENTIAL.
7 * — —
j y r/
May 19. 1937.
Section 1.
[E 2691/580/25]
Copy No
Sir R. Bullard to Mr. Eden.—[Received May 19.)
(No. 83. Secret.)
Sir, Jedda, May 1, 1937.
I HAVE the honour to submit herewith the Jedda report for April 1937.
2 . Copies have been distributed as in the list in paragraph 67.
I have, &c.
R. W. BULLARD.
Enclosure.
Jedda Report for April 1937.
I .—Internal Affairs.
153. Ibn Saud came to Jedda on the 20th April. He received all the foreign
representatives in turn. Later, at the King’s invitation, His Majesty’s Minister
called to present Commander Bowen, R.N., commanding H.M.S. Weston. On
this occasion Ibn Saud was in a most genial mood. He mentioned the names of
some of His Majesty's ships that he had seen or been in in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
and, finally, stated that he liked sailors; in fact, preferred them to soldiers. This
remark was well received by at least one of his hearers, to whom it was necessary
to explain afterwards that while the navy might perhaps deserve the golden
apple the contest was not a fair one, since Ibn Saud had only met sailors socially,
whereas that ‘ ‘ hemming-in ’ ’ process on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , of which he considers
he has cause to complain, has had to be carried out by a distinguished line of
British officials nearly all holding rank in the Indian army.
154. The Amir Saud, who returned from his visit to Iraq early in the month,
also came to Jedda on the 20 th April. On the 21st he received the foreign
representatives in turn (he received Commander Bowen with His Majesty’s
Minister), and that evening he gave a large and fortunately open-air banquet
to the foreign representatives, Commander Bowen and two other officers of
H.M.S. Weston, and some thirty or forty amirs and notables.
155. The Amir Saud left for Suez, in H.M.S. Weston, on the 22 nd April,
on his way to England for the Coronation, With equal ingenuity and self-
sacrifice Commander Bowen had made room on his sloop for the Amir and three
other persons, viz., Sheikh Yusuf Yasin, the Amir s private secretary and a
servant, when almost at the last moment Ibn Saud asked whether room could be
found for his son the Amir Muhammad, whom he wanted to send to England
for medical treatment. Room was found, the size of H.M.S. Weston did not
allow of the reception on board of all who considered it their duty to see the
Amir Saud off (many hundreds), so a large (and very well-organised) reception
was held at the custom-house, and the Amir was accompanied on board onlv bv
some twenty other amirs—many of them apparently brothers, but some uncles
oi cousins. The Amir Saud was obviously pleased with the generous accommoda
tion provided for him on board and for his handsome reception there. It was a
highly successful occasion, though a shadow was thrown over it for one observer
by the presence of the large flock of sons and other relatives of Ibn Saud who
seemed to live rather expensivelv on this poor country and do little for it in
return.
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