Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎375r] (750/802)

[5886]
c
a telegram dated the 20th May) he had awaited the King s delayed
visit to Jedda to deliver the message, the gist of which he had,
however, conveyed orally through Sheikh Yusuf Yasin on receipt of
the instructions.
(c) About the same time Fuad Bey told Sir A. Ryan that the Iraq Govern
ment proposed to send as representative to the Hejaz, Naji Bey-al-
Asil, an Iraqi formerly employed by King Hussein to represent him
in London and elsewhere. Fuad Bey smiled over this, but did not
suggest that the agrement would be refused. Sir A. Ryan did not
attempt to elucidate the point. Nothing is known in Jedda as to
Ibn Saud’s intentions regarding a representative in Iraq. A report
is understood to have reached Cairo that Sheikh Yusuf Yasin was to
be appointed. It seems most unlikely that Ibn Saud would part with
him, except possibly for a limited period to give the establishment
of normal relations a start.
(d) Polite messages were exchanged between Ibn Saud and King Feisal on
the occasion of the death of King Hussein at Amman on the 4th June.
This event was reported as a news item in the “ Umm-al-Qura.” It
does not seem to have created any excitement in the Hejaz.
(e) The name of Ibn Mashhur remained buried in a blessed silence.
Koweit and Bahrein.
33. There were no developments in May or June in connexion with
prospective negotiations regarding Koweit and Bahrein. On the 17th June
Sir A. Ryan reminded Ibn Saud in general terms of his promise to receive the
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. during his stay in Nejd (March-April
report, paragraph 29).
34. The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrein reported on the 9th May that, although
the Bahreinis in Flasa were being gradually frozen out, they were no longer
being definitely maltreated (January-February report, paragraph 27 {d )). That
being so, Captain Prior concurred in Sir A. Ityan's view that it would be better
not to take the matter up diplomatically with the Hejazi Government.
35. On the 13th May the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. reported to the Colonial Office
on the position as regards the Sheikh of Koweit’s claims against Ibn Saud in
respect of past raids and many other things for which the sheikh sought damages.
The sheikh had at first produced claims to a grand total of 111,58,190 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
At the instance of Colonel Biscoe he had reduced this figure to 14,86,590 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf.
for specific losses. He had, moreover, intimated readiness to waive all claims if
Ibn Saud would remove the restrictions which he has for many years imposed on
trade between Koweit and the interior. Colonel Biscoe recommended in principle
that His Majesty’s Minister at Jedda should be instructed to submit the reduced
claims to the Hejaz-Nejd Government, but suggested that definite action should
be postponed until the matter could be discussed with himself and Sir A. Ryan
in London during the summer.
Yemen and A sir.
36. The question raised by the request of the Hejaz Government
(March-April report, paragraph 32) for facilities to establish wireless communi
cation between Asir and Aden and postal communication with Kamaran
continued to engage the attention of His Majesty’s Government throughout the
period under review, mainly with reference to its political aspects. No decision
had been taken up to the end of June.
37. There is nothing else of importance to record for the period. Reports
as to the state of affairs in Asir and the extent of Ibn Saud’s activities there are
contradictory. Something appears to have been done this year to improve road
communication with Jizan from the north. It was reported in May that the road |
between Birka and Jizan was being repaired. Reports at the end of June, more
nebulous, suggested that the King was withdrawing troops from Asir rather than
strengthening the position there owing to his preoccupation over the situation
south-east of 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 frontier.