Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎105v] (211/802)

III .—Relations with Powers outside Arabia.
181. The appointments of Sir Andrew Ryan to His Majesty’s Legation in
Albania and that of Mr. R, W. Bullard to succeed him as Minister in Jedcla were
officially announced on the 21st May. Sir Andrew and Lady Ryan expect to leavo
Jedda on the 14th or 15th June. Mr. Bullard has had much Arabian experience
having been employed in Iraq from 1914 to 1921, and served as Agent and cousin
in Jedda from 1923 to 1925. He will probably arrive in Jedda in September.
182. Sheikh Yusuf Vasin and Sir Andrew Ryan had no less than fourteen
meetings from the 22nd April to the 30th May to discuss Anglo-Saudi questions,
besides meeting three or four times for more private conversations. Ihe impoitant
outstanding questions discussed officially so far have been those of the extension
of the validity of the Treaty of Jedda and connected matters, notably slavery, on
which an agreement was reached, subject to the approval of the Secretary of State,
on the 23rd May, the Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -Nejd frontier and the eastern and south
eastern frontiers of Saudi Arabia, two subjects regarding which no conclusion has
been arrived at.
183. The local press reported in May that a committee to promote the stud)
of English in primary schools had been formed in Mecca under the auspices of
Jamil Baud, the new assistant to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (see paragraph 2
of the report for January). . .
184. The French Minister returned from Sana on the 2 nd May m the
Bougainville, having concluded the Franco-Yemen Treaty (paragraph 147 of the
last "report), but without apparently having induced the Imam to discuss other
matters in which the French are interested. Since his return he has been \eiy
little in evidence in Jedda. . ,
185. The Italian Charge d’Affaires. who had been absent during the king s
visit to Jedda this year, applied insistently after his return for an audience.
According to Sheikh Yusuf, Ibn Saud was very unwilling to receive him, but
consented under pressure. M. Persico left Jedda on the 9th May and returned
early on the 11 th, having spent two nights on the road and a few hours only at
Ashaira on the afternoon of the 10th. when he had an audience. Arrangements
were made as for a formal reception with princes and others present, but the
Italian Charge made various statements to the King about Italian policy and
received, according to Sheikh YMsuf, who was instructed by the King to give
Sir Andrew Rvan confidentially an account of what had passed, very guarded
replies.
186. Rumours again gained some currency in May that a close understand
ing or alliance between Saudi Arabia and Italy was in contemplation. Fuad Bey
Hamza’s name has again been mentioned in this connexion (paragraph 24 of the
report for January). All the serious indications are, however, that Ibn Saud is
determined to stick to his neutrality, technically as between Italy and Ethiopia,
but really in what he conceives as a struggle between Italy and Great Britain.
The Saudi Government appear to have been very guarded in their reception of an
intimation by M. Persico, made orally at first and confirmed later in writing,
regarding the Italian annexation of Abyssinia. It is understood that they
invoked their neutrality orally and returned no written reply.
187. One transaction, however, affords ground for surmise as to its true
nature. Some little time ago the Italian Government undertook, spontaneously
according tO'Sheikh Yusuf, to present six aeroplanes to the Saudi Government,
three for training purposes, three for civil use. They sought nothing in return
and, again according to Sheikh Yusuf, represented the gift as being inspired
solely by their interest in the development of aviation, to which they had already
contributed by training Saudi students in Italy. The offer was accepted “ in
order not to offend the Italians.” Three instructional aircraft arrived in cases
from Massawa on the 29th May. It is not yet known who came with them;
possibly the two remaining Saudi students from Italy, who were known to be on
their way back; possibly two Italians, who have appeared in Jedda and may
have come to assemble the aircraft; possibly all four. As for the Italian pilot
mentioned in paragraph 132 of the last report, he was to serve as an instructor,
but he contracted jaundice and had to be sent home. A substitute is being
arranged for.
188. It became known on the 31st May that the present Italian Charge
d’Affaires had been promoted to the rank of Minister. The choice of this moment
may be significant, but it was understood, when M. Persico came, that he would