Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎100v] (201/802)

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207. (Reference paragraph 167 of last report.) There has been considerable
aerial activity during the month. One of the three Italian instructional planes
took the air on the 17th, since when one or two of these machines have flown daily.
The new Italian instructor (paragraph 187 of last report), who arrived early in
June, is stated to be superintending the further training of the Saudi “ Eagles ”
in these small, but handy, machines. On the 24th, the two planes capsized in a
strong wind whilst on the ground—little damage could have been done as they
were up again the following day. The White Russian air mechanic,
Nicola Nadenhofl, and his wife, left Jedda by sea on the 24th on leave. Further
subscriptions for the purchase of aeroplanes to be named after the four cities of
the country are still coming in, and it has been gathered from a reliable source
that an up-to-date aerodrome is to he made at Kandara near Jedda, and that a
chain of landing-grounds is to be established between Jedda and Riyadh, the
intermediate stations to be one between Taif and Ashaira, others at Muwaih
and Dawadmi.
208. (Reference paragraph 168 of last report.) Messrs. Twitched and
Laycock arrived from Taif on the 11 th, and left two or three days later by air for
Wejh in the syndicate’s plane. From another member of the staff, who had done
considerable prospecting in that area, it was understood later in the month that
Taif had proved disappointing and would be abandoned. On the other hand, a
very promising find had been made near Wejh, where there are traces of ancient
workings. Wejh now has a white population, it is stated, of nine. Mr. Twitched
left on the 24th for the United Kingdom, not on leave, but, he said, “ to work,”
and it is thought in some quarters that he may not return (but that has been
thought so often of Mr. Twitched). Mr. Park, American, is now the reigning
general manager in this country. The road from Jedda to Mahd-adh-Dhabab is
now through, and a useful road-report was recently drawn up by a member of the
Legation.
209. A further consignment of new rials, mentioned in paragraph 170 of
last report, is believed to have arrived during June. On the 23rd the
Saut-ul-Hejaz announced that as from that date the old half- and quarter-rial
pieces would be withdrawn, payment being made at the rate of 20 rials to the
pound gold, during a period of two months only.
210 . The Red Sea oil concession came in for a good deal of attention during
the month. The Frenchmen, M. Biraud and another, were here all the month, but
did not appear to be very active. The Societe francaise des Petroles is a member
of the Iraq Petroleum Company consortium, and when Mr. S. H. Longrigg
(accompanied, as in 1933, by Mr. Mudarris—see report for March 1933,
paragraph 34 (c)) arrived on the 24th June to clinch, if possible, on behalf of
Petroleum Concessions (Limited), the negotiations already initiated by
Mr. Ydlibi and Colonel Ftherton, British and French oil representatives were to
work together. They left together for Taif on the 28th, where the negotiations
were to take place, with Sheikh Yusuf Yasin and Sheikh Abdullah Suleyman.
Sheikh Yusuf Yasin professed to His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires to be eager
to come to terms with Petroleum Concessions (Limited). The Italian Minister,
about the 22 nd, had requested the Saudi Government to defer the grant of the
concession until Italian interests had had time to enter the field, particularlv in
regard to a concession for the Farsan Islands, the chief Italian objective.
Sheikh Yusuf Yasin asserted that he had tried to head the Italian Minister off,
and was, therefore, all the more anxious to come to a successful understanding
with Mr. Longrigg as soon as possible.
211. Sheikh Yusuf Yasin informed Mr. Calvert with great satisfaction on
the 27th that a message had been received by telephone that No. 2 Welkin Hasa
had come into commercial production and was yielding 500 tons a day.
212 . It came to the notice of the Legation that the Saudi Government were
to impose a tax of six centimes on all telegrams sent from Saudi Arabia from the
1 st July. As no official announcement of this new tax has been seen, enquiries
as to its nature are being made of the Saudi authorities.
213. The names of the shareholders of the £ ‘ Arab Press and Publications
Company,” referred to at paragraph 174 of the last report, have now been
published and include that of Sheikh Yusuf Yasin. A further minor economic
project has been given a certain publicity in the National Company for the
Construction of Artesian Wells at Medina. It rejoices in regulations of
twenty-six articles, but has very doubtful prospects of success.