![Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.' [‎38r] (76/680)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000555.0x0002be/IOR_L_PS_12_2163_0078.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.' [‎38r] (76/680)")
Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.' [38r] (76/680)
The record is made up of 1 file (338 folios). It was created in 24 Oct 1939-1 Jan 1945. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
its petroleum reserves. As you know also, the concession to
develop these reserves ie held by an American company.
Inevltv'Vly, therefore, the economy of Baud! Arabia will be
based At^jn oil produced as the result of substantial American capital
investments. For this reason it is considered that the question
does not arise as to which party may have a preponderant economic
and financial interest in Baudi Arabia at such time as a financial
mission might well be formed. Saudi Arabia*s traditional commercial
relations with neighboring British countries, however, must be taken
into consideration. ?hus it is sincerely hoped that satisfactory
arrangements may be worked out to <3ftal jointly with the larger
Saudi Arabian financial and supply problems.
Of course, with respect to furnishing advisers we must be
guided by the wishes of King Ibn Baud. However, I think you
will agree that, if our Governments are to support the Saudi
Arabian economy through the extension of joint material aid, it
would not appear unreasonable to suggest that King ibn Baud have
the benefit of the advice of qualified experts as to the manner in
which thia aid is utilize*:. Advice of this kind not only would
contribute to the implementation of our plans for the extension
of joint assistance but alno undoubtedly would prove helpful to
the Saudi Arabs themselves. It might be well, therefore, to ask
the King whether he is agreeable to our suggestions; namely, that
he avail himself of the services of a joint Military Mission
headed by a British officer of Anglo-Saxon extraction and of an
American financial adviser to function either singly or as head
of a joint financial mission. To demonstrate to him our co
operative approach toward the solution of oftudi Arabian problems,
it it proposed that our respective re resentativea at Jidda be
instructed to visit King Ibn Baud together in order to make these
suggestions to him. In the event that you i*eel you cannot concur
in this proposal, my Government may contemplate instructing the
American representative to visit the King to ascertain his views
regarding the adviser question.
If it should appear that the location of the Treasury at
fcecca presents complications, an inquiry might be made as to the
possibility of transferring the Treasury elsewhere. At least,
such a transfer should not present many physical or transportation
difficulties. However, if this should not prove feasible, it is
believed that a foreign financial adviser could function
ffectively with respect to matters of policy at Jidda, the port
of Mecca.
It ie hoped that we shall be able soon to formulate detailed
plans for dealing with Saudi Arabian financial and supply problems
on a joint and cooperative basis, and that our representatives In
Jidda may be instructed to discuss the adviser question with King
Ibn Baud in the near future.
.
Sincerely yours,
(signed) H. BUCKMEU.
About this item
- Content
This file concerns British policy towards Saudi Arabia during the Second World War (the abbreviation 'Qn' in the title stands for 'Question'). The correspondence discusses the question of providing financial or material assistance to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], as well as the United States' growing economic and strategic interests in Saudi Arabia.
The file features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Reader Bullard, Hugh Stonehewer Bird, and Stanley R Jordan successively); the Secretary of State for India (Leo Amery); the Viceroy of India (Archibald Percival Wavell); the Chancellor of the Exchequer (John Anderson); officials of the Foreign Office, the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , the Treasury, the Government of India's Finance and External Affairs Departments, and the United States Embassy in London.
Related matters of discussion include the following:
- The idea (initially discussed in correspondence dating from 1939) of an alliance or a bloc of Arab states (chiefly comprised of Saudi Arabia and the Yemen), which would support the Allied cause.
- The Italo-German reaction to Ibn Saud's refusal to receive German diplomat Dr Fritz Konrad Ferdinand Grobba, a decision that was applauded by the British.
- Italian influence in the Middle East.
- Anglo-French co-operation in the Middle East.
- Details of the Saudi Government's finances (i.e. expenditure and revenue) during the early war years.
- Arrangements for loans and payments from the British to the Saudi Government, as well as details of royalties and loans paid to the Saudi Government by the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (Casoc).
- Proposals for an irrigation and agricultural mission to Saudi Arabia, headed by a United States agricultural expert.
- Conversations between Ibn Saud and United States General Patrick Hurley during the latter's visit to Riyadh in May 1943.
- The Government of India's decision in 1942 not to allow pilgrim ships to sail from India to Saudi Arabia, because of a risk of the ships being attacked.
- Ibn Saud's requests in 1944 for the British Government to send to Saudi Arabia financial and military advisers, preferably Sunni Moslems [Muslims].
- The proposed appointment of Ibn Saud's requested financial adviser, which is delayed and eventually abandoned, following the United States' suggestion that the position be given to a United States adviser, because of the United States' 'preponderant interest' in the Saudi economy.
The file includes two dividers which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).
- Extent and format
- 1 file (338 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 339; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 262-286; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
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- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.' [38r] (76/680), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2163, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100046518046.0x00004f> [accessed 9 July 2026]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2163
- Title
- Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.'
- Pages
- 37r:38v, 58r:58v
- Author
- United States Federal Government
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