Coll 6/91 'Saudi Arabia. Policy of H.M.G. Qn. of credits and guarantee of assistance to Ibn Saud.' [‎310v] (621/680)

2
U. ^353/
/3^
(/) While subsidiary lines of defence are necessary, His Majesty s Govern
ment are devoting their main energies to the principal task of
defeating Germany. To this end they are concentrating on the war
in the west, at sea, on the air and on land, and on strengthening
Turkey and taking other measures in order to preserve peace m theA
Balkans and the Mediterranean. At the same time, however, they are*
doing all they can, in accordance with their obligations, to see that
Palestine, 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 , Iraq and Egypt are in a proper state of
defence against 'any possible enemy. France, too, is taking every
precaution in Syria. . , , „
(q) Sir R. Bullard is very glad that the King’s statement was received before
his departure for Tehran. After so many years service m Arab
countries he would naturally give full weight to the point of view o
the Arab world in any matter affecting the Near and Middle East,
but after reading His Majesty’s statement, he will have it in mind
when he reaches Tehran and is examining the problems raised by the
war from a fresh standpoint.
4. This despatch had just been drafted when the Foreign Office
(memorandum respecting Arab federation, dated the 28th September, was
received. I trust that I am right in thinking that my remarks do not go beyond
the terms of that memorandum.
I have, Ac.
R. W. BULLARD.
Enclosure 1.
Translation of an undated Document.
(In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate!)
Declaration.
(Secret.)
IT has been our custom to forward to the British Government some of our
views, which we think it is worth while to communicate for the information of
that Government, in any circumstances which we consider important; and
although there may be no practical utility in all these declarations, yet the only
reason we have for forwarding them is because we know that the British Govern
ment possesses, in the matters which we are discussing, information more complete
than the information which we possess; and it is careful to observe its own
interests as far as possible; so on that basis we now set forth that which we know
in the present state of affairs.
Now we hear from broadcasts, from the mouths of most of the Arabs, and
from correspondence which certain advisers send to us, that everyone thinks that
we should refer to the British Government that which we know, in order to ask
its opinion in the light of the general interest ; and if it considers our declarations
to be apposite, then we are ready to assist it in any way we can; but if it considers
that the general interest is to the contrary of that, then, of course, the general
interest transcends everything else
There are no terrors for the British Government in the developments of the
past few days, which have been full of change : the greatest and most vital of
those developments have been two things : (1) The desertion of Berlin by Rome;
and (2) the entry of Russia with Germany. As for the first, we had expected it,
because we were" of the opinion that Italy would not enter in a war in which she
stood to gain nothing; but as for the second, that was strange and we had not
expected it, nor had anyone else. So we see that things are rapidly changing
day by day, and that our own interests prompt us to consult with the British
Government on three matters. The first is its connexion with our interests. The
second is its connexion with the interests of the Arabs. And the third, and the
most important, is its connexion with British interests in Arab countries and the
combination of the Arabs with it, on account of their traditional friendship,
derived from the past and the present, and on account of the connecting links