Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎144v] (289/802)

4
B55m
merit. Until the situation clarified itself, the Saudis would, however, treat the
Italians with customary courtesy, but if hostilities were unfortunately to break
out they would follow His Majesty’s Government. The sheikh stressed the
financial importance to this country in these times of economic depression of a
deal in camels with the Italians, who were also ready to promise them, in addition
to money and arms, guns and aeroplanes. Subsequent to the statement of His ^
Majesty’s Government’s views, he had given permission for the sale of a number
of camels to the Italians. He might impose limitations on their numbers later
on. Sheikh Yusuf’s statements led to a further oral communication on the
16th September by His Majesty's Charge d’Affaires regarding the views of His
Majesty’s Government, and another conversation on the subject took place on
the 19th, when the sheikh discussing the general situation personally enquired
what would happen to shipping, postal services, &c., in the Red Sea if the
Suez Canal were closed, an event he appeared to expect. He felt sure that His
Majesty’s Government would not wish, as a great Moslem Power, to see harm
or loss befall the Hejaz, but would act as in the Great War, when His Majesty’s
Government helped ito alleviate the hardships suffered by that country.
302. It was understood from Sheikh Yusuf Yasin that Odello, the Italian
self-styled merchant, had paid a lump sum in advance for the purchase of camels,
and that a broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. had been despatched to collect the animals. No invasion of
Jedda by camels for Eritrea had taken place up to the end of the month. No
further shipments of live-stock, fruit or vegetables to Massawa took place in
September, the reason given being that, owing to the disorganisation in that port
and consequent delay in unloading, the fruit and vegetables perished and had
to be thrown overboard, and the animals suffered severely. As Saudi merchants
were to be paid for their goods “ landed Massawa,” they suffered in some cases
total loss in consequence. The experiment is therefore not likely to be repeated.
Generally, the Italo-Ethiopian situation is followed with the closest interest,
facilitated by the rapid increase in the number of wireless sets being imported.
Rumours during September were responsible for some panic and a rise in the
local prices of food-stuffs in the “ suq,” but the municipality took certain
measures, and the receipt of further news of a more reassuring nature helped to
restore confidence.
303. (Paragraph 274 of last report.) The unofficial Haramayn Waqfs
; mission had not left for abroad at the end of September. The Umm-al-Qura of
the 27th reported the resignation of one of the delegates, Sheikh Abdullah-ash-
4 Shaibi, on account of pressure of other duties, and the appointment in his stead
of Sherif Ridha. Other reports were not lacking that the mission would not
leave at all, for, it is said, as regarded Egypt, Sheikh Abdullah Suleyman had
done all that could be done; from Palestine, certain monies had been received
from the Grand Mufti; and India was definitely unfavourably disposed towards
/ the mission.
304. Sheikh Yusuf Yasin informed His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires on the
19th that some 244 destitute Indians had arrived in Hasa and had been prevented
from proceeding further into the interior. He suggested that they should be
returned to India and drew attention to the undesirability of destitutes using
the overland routes to Mecca, "these unfortunates had arrived in Hasa via
Muscat, Oman and Qatar. The matter was under consideration at the end of
the month.
305. 1 he Italian and Turkish Charges d Affaires returned from leave
during the month on the 1 st and 22 nd respectively, and the Soviet Legation's
dentist, M. Miron Merson, accompanied by his wife, left for Europe via Port
Sudan on the 8 th. Signor Persico expressed to His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires
his dissatisfaction with the junior official, Signor Ardizzone, left in charge of
the Italian Legation dui mg the summer, for not only had he bungled the arrange
ments for the visit of the Italian flotilla-leader Pantera (see paragraph 208). but
he had been guilty of the gaffe of missing the Amir Saud on his return to
Jedda. As the Crown Prince arrived in an Italian ship, Signor Ardizzone took
launch to go aboard to welcome His Royal Highness before he landed, but,
unfortunately, the Italian representative arrived too late, the Amir had left the
ship, and when the unfortunate Ardizzone returned to shore the reception at the
quay was over. Celal Bay, it is expected, will be preoccupied with the effects on
Turkish interests in this country of the Saudi Law on Immovable Property
(reference paragraph 241 of the report for October 1934).