Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎241v] (483/802)

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Minister for Foreign Affairs from abroad. Fuad Bey, on this occasion, or o
to press the earlier Saudi proposal of an exchange at Jedda, and sugges e a
the formality should take place either in Egypt or at Jerusalem. e ques ion
was still under consideration at the end of the month.
249. The suggestion referred to at paragraph 19, that a personal mee mg
between the Amir Abdullah of 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 and Tbn Baud might prove usetul,
further pursued by Mr. Calvert in conversation with Fuad Bey Hamza on me
21st November. Fuad Bey promised to refer to Ibn Baud, and °n tne 2 /tn
informed Mr. Calvert that the King welcomed the suggestion, but found it dimcult
to fix a date earlier than the middle of March, and proposed, further, e
should proceed to the meeting, whenever it took place, by embarking at dedda.
The matter was still receiving His Majesty’s Government’s consideration at tne
end of the month. , ,
250. On the 28th November two cases of robbery of camels belonging to
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 tribes by members of the Beni Atiya tribe encamped in the Hejaz
were brought to the notice of the Saudi Government. Whilst there had been no
time for an official replv before the end of the month, Fuad Bey informed hm
Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires, orally, that he understood a number of camels, which
were stolen in July and August last, had already been returned. An official
statement is awaited. In this connexion Fuad Bey observed that he gathered
that relations between Saudi and 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 frontier authorities were cordial.
He added that Abdullah-as-Sdayri, Governor of Tehuk, had been recently on a
visit to Mecca, and had returned to his post, where his brother (probably Abdul
Aziz as-Sdayri) had acted for him, about the 28th November.
251. (Reference paragraph 200.) On the 28th November His Majesty s
Charcre d’Affaires addressed Fuad Bey Hamza on the subject of the frontier post
of Hazim, stating that 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 Government were unable to agree that
this place lay on the frontier line between the two countries, hut that it was
situated well within 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 territory. The Saudi military post was still
in the vicinity of Hazim, but its relations with the Arab Legion post there
continued to be friendly. The communication concluded with a suggestion that
reciprocal arrangements might he made for the posts on either side to water at
Hazim and at Isawiya in Saudi territory respectively. No reply had been
received at the end of the month.
HI .—Relations with Powers outside Arabia.
252. In anticipation of the expiration on the 17th November of the Saudi
moratorium in respect of their governmental debts, His Majesty s Chaige
d’Affaires, under instruction, made oral representations to Amir Feisal on the
15th to the effect that His Majesty’s Government now expected the Saudi
Government to make a serious attempt to deal with this long outstanding question.
On the 18th His Majesty’s Charge d’Affaires, in an official note, requested the
repayment of the principal of the debts in question. On the 21st Fuad Bey stated
that a written reply was in preparation, hut in the meantime stated verbally
that, owing to the serious economic situation of the country and lecent political
development (alluding to the dispute with the Yemen), his Government found
themselves unable at present to liquidate their indebtedness to His Majesty s
Government, although plans to that end had been drawn up earlier in the year.
The official reply was duly received on the 27th, and was couched in much the
same terms. The next step in the matter was receiving careful consideration at
the end of the month.
253. (Reference paragraph 151.) There has been recently a decided
recrudescence of complaints from British subjects and protected persons,
chauffeurs of Government and other motor vehicles, that the authorities were
refusing to renew driving licences to all foreign chauffeurs who failed to adopt
Saudi nationality. No regulations have been published by the Saudi authorities
on the subject, and as many cases of hardship are occurring owing to inadequate
notice of termination of employment, Mr. Calvert on the 12th November brought
the matter orally to the notice of Fuad Bey Hamza, who promised to make
enquiries. He is still enquiring. .
254 During the latter half of the month it became known m Jedda that the
Egyptian Senator and chairman of the directors of the Banque Misr,
Tala at Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. Harb (see paragraph 242 above), was expected to arrive here by air
early in December, from Suez, stopping en route at Tor, Wejh and Yanbu. On