Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎197r] (394/802)

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226. On the 29th. an official of the Minister for Foreign Affairs telephoned
from Taif to inform the Legation that Abdul Aziz-bin-Zeyd, the Saudi frontier
official in the north, proposed to travel about a week later to Palmyra to attend
a conference, and begged that permission be sought from 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
authorities for him to cross their territory. The following day, the 1 ransjordan
authorities signified that no difficulties were anticipated. It seems not unlikely
that the visit of this Saudi official to Palmyra is connected with the present
discontents in the Jauf-Teima areas, referred to in paragraph 216 above.
III .—Relations with Powers outside A rabid.
227. (Reference paragraphs 53 and 80.) During the month the delicate
question of the position of Legation dispensaries has occasioned certain further
exchanges. Towards the end of August, the Minister for Foreign Affairs
circularised foreign missions to the effect that henceforth customs dues would
be levied on medicines other than those imported for the private use of the
mission. In accordance with instructions, His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires
stated the views of His Majesty’s Government, and suggested that conversations,
which had taken place earlier in the year between Sir Andrew Ryan and
Fuad Hamza and which had been interrupted, should be resumed in London,
where Fuad Hamza was due to arrive on a visit during September. Sheikh
Yusuf Yasin replied uncompromisingly, but undertook to acquaint his colleague
and the Saudi Minister in London with this suggestion. The narcotic drugs
regulations (referred to at paragraph 223 above), which envisaged stringent
control of the importation, use, &c., of narcotics under Government licence and
inspection, though probably unexceptionable in themselves, nevertheless constitute
a further attack on the present position of Legation dispensaries, which, of
course, are not excluded from their scope.
228. Signor Persico, the Italian Charge d’Affaires, who went on short
leave to Europe in July (see paragraph 176), returned on the 30th September.
IV.— Miscellaneous.
229. (Reference paragraph 206.) The cable ship Retriever was in Jedda
Roads twice during the month repairing the Sudan cable, finally leaving
on the 24th.
230. Mr. Philby, who was down in Jedda from the 13th-15th September, left
Taif for Riyadh about the 16th or 17th. Mr. Twitched at the end of the month
was still at Taif rather disconsolately angling for his concession. It is believed
he is thinking of giving it up as a bad job. M. van de Poll, since the way to
Riyadh was barred to him, has returned to Medina.
231. Taif is now given over to Government departments and Amir Feysal
and Meccan notables. There were several days of horse-racing before the King
left for Riyadh, with handsome sums in prizes. These glories have now vanished
with the Court, and in a few weeks even the Government administrations will be
packing up and returning to Mecca.
232. The position as regards the manumission of slaves during the month
of September was as follows :—
On hand at the beginning of the month : 2 males.
Took refuge in September : 1 male, 1 female.
Manumitted in September and repatriated : 1 male.
Locally manumitted : I male, 1 female.
Left Legation voluntarily : 1 male.
On hand at the end of the month : Nil.
233. The case referred to in paragraph 211 of last month’s report, which
threatened to become troublesome, was settled by the disappearance of the man,
who left the Legation premises of his own free will and without the knowledge
of any member of the staff.