File 1707/1924 ‘Arabia:- Jeddah Situation Reports. (1924-1930)’ [‎101r] (206/898)

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■contemplated raids and the pursuit of raiders across the frontier and it did not
contemplate either an organised attack in force which His Majesty was unwilling
to prevent, i.e., an aggression amounting in fact to an act of war o7an “siof
TgaTnst His nijesty Whorlt/ 0 PreVent ’ “ aggreSsion res " ltm 8 in a rCTolt
^ 17. The Heiaz CrOvernmon
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t . f ■ , Tlle ® e i az . Government, on the other hand, consider that the wording of
SIK™ ^ ree " <l —■> *” «““■ - ««of.,
18 The constant complaints and newspaper attacks directed against the
administrative inspector of the Iraq Southern Desert have called forth a statement
trom His Majesty s Government, embodied in a note addressed to the Heiaz Govern-
June, to the effect that there is no foundation for the allegations
which have been made against his activities, and that these are clearly based on
inaccurate reports. The Hejaz Government were also informed that the continued
presentation of baseless protests could only complicate an already difficult situation
and their attention was drawn to the obvious interest which such admittedly
recalcitrant tribes as the Mutair must have in representing their delinquencies as
the result of Iraqi provocation.
19. A reply has been received from Ibn 8 >aud to the note addressed to him on
the 17th May on the subject of the collection of zikat from 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 tribes
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who migrate periodically to the Wndi Sirhan for purposes of watering and grazino’.
His Maiestv’c: ftnvprnm.pnf hneino' fIvoiv TriawTr. A TT_ a _ 9
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irmed, asi
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His Majesty s Government, basing their views on article 4 of the Hadda Agreement,
ia« c ° nt f nded that the imposition of this tax was inconsistent with the clear intention
)rv D | y 0± the agreement, which was to maintain unaltered the established rights of access
• r to the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Sirhan previously enjoyed by 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 tribes, and, furthermore, that
it would be contrary to all principles of justice to impose on the tribes of Trans
jordan, who are required to pay taxes to their own Government, a second annual tax
payable to the Nejd Government. Ibn Sand maintains, however, that the article in
question, whilst securing reciprocity in the enjoyment of grazing rights, leaves each
Government free to collect zikat or any other taxes leviable under its own laws,
whether from its own subjects or from other persons.
20. Another eye-witness’s account has come to hand of the manner in which
Ibn Sand established his authority at the meeting of the tribes at Riyadh in October
last. From his statement it would appear that the tribesmen openly declared their
disapproval of Ibn Saud’s title of King of the Hejaz and Nejd. He was at liberty
to style himself King of the Hejaz, but they would not recognise him as King of
Nejd. Ibn Saud is said to have drawn his sword then, and to have claimed that
‘nt
it in
After alt he had made himself King by the strength of it. This caused some commotion,
Ibn Sp 1
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resulting in several of the tribesmen being killed. The gates of the town and of the
palace were immediately closed, and no further open meeting took place.
21 . The representations made to Ibn Baud with a view to eliciting the facts
concerning the death of Sheikh Enad-bin-Jumaian, to which reference was made in
Jeddah report for April, have drawn a reply from the Hejaz Government to the effect
that Ibn Jumaian and a companion were captured in the course of an encounter of
their caravan with a detachment of zikat collectors. He was detained as a hostage
in connexion with the looting of some camels, and, according to Sheikh Fuad, was
killed by a stray bullet fired by some of his own people who attempted to rescue him.
22. On the 15th June the British Air Mission under Wing-Commander
F. W. Stent, which was sent to Jeddah with the object of ascertaining the condition
of the existing aircraft of the Hejaz Government, arrived and began work. It soon
became apparent that the existing machines, four in number, were of a model that
had been out of date for some years; that the type was quite unsuited for the
conditions of this country; and that, although one or possibly all of them could be
made serviceable if spare parts were available, they could never be regarded as
anything but practice machines.
23. In the course of the mission’s stay, two aeroplanes were in fact made
serviceable. Several flights were made, and during one afternoon the Governor of
the town and one or two Arab notables were taken up for short flights.
24. The Air Mission left again for Egypt on the 26th June.
25. On learning of the condition of his machines, the King placed a formal
order with His Majesty’s Government for a complete air force, and requested
immediate delivery*. The order was confirmed the same day by a note from the
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, which described the King’s requirements in
detail. Four aeroplanes were needed, as well as the requisite personnel to fly them
and maintain them in condition. The Hejaz Government left it to His Majesty’s