File 1707/1924 ‘Arabia:- Jeddah Situation Reports. (1924-1930)’ [‎198v] (401/898)

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serving some years with Ibn Sand, deserted to the Yemen, Mohammed Omar Dunka, •
and Abdullah Sohail. The two latter, found in possession of documents proving
their anti-Saud activities, have been arrested. Medi is expected to be shortly in
the hands of tribes supporting Ibn Saud. The latter, indeed, appears not only to
have consolidated but greatly to have strengthened his position in Asir, as a result
of recent disturbances there. Moreover, the fear of any Italian encroachment has
been sensibly weakened. Sayed Ali is leaving Mecca lor i n l^e near future,^
and it is not improbable that he may succeed in ousting Sayed Hassan.
5. Although no Moslem Conference was convened this year, the King held
several meetings at which leading Moslems of seveial countries attended, to discuss
questions interesting Islam. He is now engaged on the consideration of problems
connected with “ Waqf ” properties. The old Turkish law, whereby only native
subjects may buy property in the Hejaz, is being enforced, but I undeistand that
‘ £ Waqf ” property does not fall within the scope of the law.
6 A commission known as “ the Committee of Reform and Enquiry ” has
been appointed to enquire into the working of Groveinment departments and to make
suggestions for improvements, dhe first findings of the commission have resulted in
the dismissal for incompetence and abuse of powei of the Emir Feisal s chief
advisers, Abdul Aziz Attarki and feihereef Husain Adnan. The Grand Kadi of
Mecca has also been asked to resign. Tewfik Bey Esh Sherif, the secretary to last
year’s Islamic Conference, has been appointed Reis-el-Diwan of Emir Feisal.
7. There is no doubt that Ibn Saud is genuinely anxious to introduce reforms
and to organise the Hejaz administration on more modern lines. His ideas are
sound, but he is hampered in carrying them out by the dearth in the Hejaz of honest
and disinterested collaborators. He is surrounded by Syrians, many of whom are
wanted by the French. It is difficult to gather whether Ibn Saud collects these
Syrians with a view to establishing contact with Syria, or whether, unwelcome in
their own country, they drift to the Hejaz to make their fortunes and live down
their reputations' I think the latter is the more probable explanation.
8. The postal administration is introducing parcels post and money orders; it
is, also hoped that direct postal bags may be exchanged with India, Palestine and
Aden. With a view to ensuring the more efficient working of the postal service, the
Hejaz-Nejd Government have requested the Government of Palestine to accept for
six months’ training a limited number of Hejaz postal employees.
9. Orders have been placed with British firms for the supply of a new condenser
for Jeddah and for the coins of which mention was made in paragraph 12 of Jeddah
report for June. The order for the latter appears to have been placed through
Mr : , Philby, representative of Sharkieh Company (Limited), though information
from a rival firm shows that his quotation was £1,000 higher. He is alleged to have
received the contract in consideration of his services to the Government. Although,
if this version of the story is correct, it is regrettable that competition between
British firms should not be free, yet, so long as Mr. Philby places orders so obtained
with British firms, British trade is not thereby damaged.
10,. Mr. Philby has left for Egypt and thie United Kingdom, his business being
attended to in the interval by a recently imported English clerk. Mr. Philby is in
very close touch with Dr. Damluji, the Director of Foreign x\ffairs. So close, indeed,
I is the touch that there is reason to suspect that Philby acts as adviser on Foreign
Affairs.
11. As stated in the last Jeddah Report, paragraph 8, certain Javanese
Communists were arrested and deported. Much emphasis was laid in the local
press on the fact that this action was taken independently of the Dutch consulate,
and that there was no question of extradition or even of a request for expulsion b}
the Dutch consul. The King’s Syrian advisers had to tread warily; if it ^ eie
admitted or even believed that the Dutch consul had been instrumental m t e
removal of the Communists, a precedent would have been set which the French consu
would not have been slow to try and follow with a view to the return to S\na o
many undesirables. , .
12. The King has expressed his desire to rediscuss on his return to Jeddah in
the near future the question of erecting a lighthouse, to render Jeddah harbour sa e
of approach at night. . *
13. Efforts have been made to obtain the King’s consent to a reconnaissance^
the projected air route crossing his territory between Bahrein and Koweit.
not averse in principle from the scheme, Ibn Saud shrinks from the responsibi i
He fears lest the Plassa tribesmen, who, he says, are among the wildest of th° se
owe him allegiance, should resent the appearance of Europeans in their midst, v