Coll 6/21(1) 'Hejaz-Nejd: Relations with H.M.G.: Hejaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah.' [‎311v] (633/914)

This gentleman resigned after a very short time and was replaced by one Faudhi
Bey al-Kawokii, a Syrian officer, who formerly served m the Turkish army and
took part, apparently with some distinction, in the Palestinian campaign He
would appear to have been German trained, judging by his excellent knowledge
of German. During the last Syrian revolt he went over to the rebels and came to
this country as a fugitive from the French. The review afforded an opportunity
for displaying the meagre results so far achieved m the direction of creating a
regular army The march past was headed by two detachments of infantry,
about 500 men in all, rather ragged in formation but workmanlike and to some
extent disciplined Then followed a string of pack animals with various equip
ment and about 100 men in charge. Then came two armoured cars, which were
followed by the "cavalry,” consisting of less than forty horsemen, ill-mounted
and variously equipped, nothing more, in fact, than a disorderly lout of tribesmen,
who indulged in wild shouts as"they passed. The camelry, who came after them,
were distinctly more impressive and numbered at least 320, perhaps more. This
force, though also wild and composed of heterogeneous types, had a certain air of
efficiency. Towards the end of the review three aeroplanes of the Hejaz Air
Force swept round in great circles, while the cavalry again appeared to
display their prowess in galloping, firing comic pistols and emitting war cries.
The aeroplanes did not venture to come low for fear of stampeding the camels.
It had been intended that they should approach when the camelry went back to
barracks, but the arrangements for this miscarried and as no signalling had been
arranged the aerial display was rather tame.
5. The first day ended with a dinner of about 120 covers at Kandara. The
Emir, who was to have presided, excused himself at the last moment on grounds
of slight indisposition. Otherwise, the arrangements were excellent. Only two
speeches were allowed. The first and more important consisted of a lengthy
review of Ibn Sand’s efforts in various directions. International relations were
touched on and reference was made to the rapprochement with Iraq resulting from
the meeting of the two Kings on board H.M.S. " Lupin.” It was
remarked that no mention was made of Egypt, an omission the more striking as it
is understood that recent negotiations, though their scope and prospects of success
have been exaggerated, have afforded promise of a better understanding between
Egypt and the Hejaz. The Soviet Minister said a few words in Arabic at the
end of dinner in reply to the references which had been made to the diplomatic
representatives.
6. Mr. Hope-Gill and I started early on the 10th January for Wady Fatma
to attend the celebration organised there by the municipality of Mecca. The
programme was a heavy one. There were some twenty-four speeches, poems and
set pieces recited by schoolboys, before and after luncheon. The Emir Feisal
presided with hardly concealed boredom, though he was himself the object of the
most eloquent eulogies. He was at his best with some children of the Royal
family, including his own son, who flitted in and out of the reception tent. One
of the items was a set piece welcoming the Prince and the foreign representatives,
delivered in English by a Mecca schoolboy. His nervousness contrasted strongly
with the aplomb of his comrades, who produced their Arabic effusions from lungs
of bronze, and he boggled sadly, poor child, over the hard Avord " representatives.' '
Another interesting school item was a case heard before the Cadi between
advocates of pen and sword. The sword was very large and the pen very little.
The Cadi, in a nicely-balanced judgment, declared them both to be servants, of
equal utility as such, and reconciled the advocates in a handshake. One poet
gi acefully compared the Emir and the diplomatic representatives to the moon
surrounded by stars. His comparison was apter than he knew, for our Minister
toi I oreign Affairs is a great but pallid and elusive luminary and we, the stars,
are very fixed in Jedda. The proceedings were punctuated by choral
Performances. . Singing does not appear to rank as forbidden music, and one of
me chants was introduced as the " Song of the Fatherland.” At least 200 guests
sa down to an excellent luncheon served at one long table in a marquee. The
ay ended with a fantastic Avar dance by Nejdi tribesmen, a barbaric pantomime
j P an< T 2 0 ^ ou 1 r ‘ ^ the outset the dance centred on a gigantic Royal
an ai , but before long standard and standard-bearer were dancing Avith the
7 Not only had Egypt been ignored in the speech of the evening, but the
tLgyptian consul had been given a comparatively poor place at table. These
circumstances may account for his absence from the Wady Fatma party. Some
er diplomatic abstentions were due to indisposition and were less noticeable.