Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎148r] (296/802)

•^V
X
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY
EASTERN (Arabia).
CONFIDENTIAL.
OF HIS BRITANNIC M
AJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
352
1935
J
September 16, 1935.
Section 2.
[E 5575/557/25]
Mr. Calvert to Sir Samuel Hoare.—[Received September 16.)
(No. 247. Confidential.)
T ttattt- u u Jedda, September 2 , 1935.
.> ± 1 /7 V - th l e honoui ‘ to submit herewith the Jedda report for August 1935.
2 . Copies have been distributed as in the list appended to the report for
January, and, m addition, a copy has, for the first time, been sent to his
Excellency the Governor of British Somaliland at Sheikh.
I have, &c.
A. S. CALVERT.
Enclosure.
Jedda Report for August 1935.
I .—Internal Affairs.
249. Little or nothing has been heard of the movements of Ibn Saud. who
presumably passed the month at Riyadh.
Amir Saud returned from his visit to Europe, Egypt, Palestine
and 1 ransjordan on the 25th August and, on landing at Jedda, was given what
amounted to a popular welcome, a cheerful contrast to the absence of enthusiasm
that marked his departure. He travelled from Egypt in an Italian ship, and
was greeted on board on arrival by certain chosen individuals, and at the
Quarantine Quay by the Amir Feisal and a number of other princes, foreign
representatives, members of the foreign community, notables, officials, school-
children and a considerable crowd. He was saluted on the arrival of his ship
and on coming ashore by two Saudi aeroplanes which had flown specially from
Taif for the occasion, and a guard of honour was mounted at the quay. A short
reception was held at the quay, when laudatory and congratulatory speeches were
delivered and songs were sung by the children. The town itself was gailv
beflagged and the route taken by the procession was decorated as far a? the
Medina Gate with bunting, streamers and at least one triumphal arch. The
streets were agog with sightseers most of the day and celebrations continued into
the night. I he Amir Saud left for Mecca on the evening of the 25th and for
Taif a day or so later.
251. Sheikh Yusuf Yasin came from Riyadh to be present at Jedda on
the Crown Prince's return. He alone did not return to Mecca and Taif with
the Royal party, as he had certain matters to discuss with His Majesty’s Charge
d’Affaires, as will be described below, and other foreign representatives. He left
for Taif on the 29th August, intending to return to Jedda a few days later to
resume the conversations.
252. Fuad Bey Hamza did not return with the Amir Saud. He left the
Royal party to spend a period of leave in his native Syria. His brother. Taufiq
Hamza, however, joined His Royal Highness’s suite and returned to this countrv
with the Amir.
253. The Minister of Finance, Sheikh Abdullah Suleiman, left for Egvpt
on the 21 st August, ostensibly proceeding to Turkey for reasons of health. & He
had intended to travel to India, but had postponed his departure until too late
in the season, in view of the expected arrival of the first pilgrims in October for
the next Hajj. Various reasons are advanced here for the visit to Egypt inter
alia, that he proposes to negotiate with Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Harb and the Banque Misr
concerning a project to reconstruct the Jedda-Mecca road. He is also said to be
interested in the purchase of lighting plant for Mecca and for the Governmenf
hotels maintained at Jedda and Mecca. ^uv eminent
[506 q 2] B