Coll 6/21(2) 'Saudi Arabia: Relations with H.M.G.: Saudi Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah. Prolongation of Treaty of Jedda.' [‎12r] (23/761)

5
dealing and honourable treatment we have always had from them. There are
two kinds of relationships between countries : the relationship of fear—fear of
the subjected for the conqueror—and the relationship based on mutual interest
and co-operation. That is the relationship between you and us. Who else would
have treated us as you have? We were talking the other day and someone said :
If the Axis said to us : Come to us and we will treat you just like the people of
Berlin and Rome, and if at the same time the Government said to us : Come to
His; we cannot treat you like the people of London, but we will treat you like
xhe people of our colonies, which should we choose ? ' I say the latter, of course.
It s as clear as the sun. How have those two rogues ‘ Hatler 5 and ‘ Missoluni ’
treated their own people in Berlin and Rome? They have slaughtered them and
tortured them most barbarously. But the Government treat the people of their
colonies just like the sons of England. Look at India. A land of kings. Do you
think anyone else, Arab or foreigner, who might have conquered India would have
left those kings to enjoy their rights and privileges ? No; they would have over
thrown and despoiled them.”
A reference to the decision of Safi-el-Din-el-Senussi not to come on pilgrimage
and stay in the Hejaz made the King chuckle : ££ That’s not a decision of the
Senussi. It is the mercy of God, who strengthened the British to defeat the
Germans at A1 Alamein.”
Much time at each interview was spent in discussing the war news and the
general situation. Ibn Sand expressed admiration for America’s war effort.
££ President Roosevelt is a man like your Prime Minister, and it is to the world’s
good fortune that there are two such men in such close agreement at this time.
Nations are valued by their leaders. A thousand Hons led by a fox are nothing;
a thousand foxes led by a lion are an army. These leaders are different from that
£ Hatler ’; they rule by consent, not by terror, and they have won the admiration
and support of their nations because they have never feared to tell the truth.
They and their Governments will last because they seek to do right. We believe
profoundly that the works of evil cannot endure.”
££ Hitler and Mussolini have chosen a path that can only lead to disaster.
Mussolini—but what is Mussolini ? Mr. Churchill spoke a word about him that
pleased me : he called him a jackal. They have made grave mistakes. Hitler
made two: first when he failed to invade England after the French were
defeated. We were sorely grieved and afraid at that time, for we knew there was
no army in England to withstand them. But the mercy of God is evident.
Hitler erred and you did not neglect his error. Then he erred in attacking
Russia; first, because that gave you a breathing space, and, second, because he
had not reckoned the Russian resistance rightly. Nor had anyone—it is a wonder
of this war.
£ ‘Hitler now is like a man who has swallowed all manner of serpents, vipers
and scorpions, all alive and furiously biting in his belly, then while he is
struggling with this internal attack he is set upon by lions. The serpents and
scorpions are those countries, Poland and Czecho—what-d’ye-call-it; the lions
are you and Russia and America. What shall he do? Try and overcome the
convulsions within him or defend himself from the lions outside? If God will,
he will be torn apart both ways.
££ People talk about a second front. I say the British will not open a second
front in Europe. Those places, Belgium and Holland, are well guarded. The
fighting man looks for an opening. There was a time when I thought you might
try and capture or destroy the French fleet in that place in France where it lay,
and from there go on to invade France. Then again I often said you ought to
take the Maghrib (i.e., French North Africa). Now you’ve done' it. There’s
your second front. Once drive the Germans out of there and you have the Axis
in the grip of your hand. And we and the Arabs and all Moslems will rejoice
on that day.”
At an interview at which Sir John Dash wood was present the talk turned
on the misstatements and lies of German propaganda.
Sir John Dashwood quoted the reference in a recent German broadcast to
“ Rommel’s advance westwards.” This delighted the King.
££ What Arab believes the German wireless now? We have heard them sink
the same ship three times over. Lies return upon the head of their disseminator.
As the Iraqi proverb says, £ Untruth is a mount will take you forth but will not
bring you home again.’ ”
His Majesty was asked what future he foresaw for the Arab States after
the war.