"ملف 61/11 V (D 95) مسائل متنوعة خاصة بالحجاز ونجد" [ظ‎‎٩‎٦] (٥٣٠/٢٠٩)

internal mostly in silver, and that the budget estimate of 16^ million piastres has
a gold figure equalling £150,000 (see Fuad Bey Hamza's statement, reported in
paragraph 4 of Sir Andrew Ryan's despatch No. 36 of the 21st January last).
7. There is also more than meets the eye in the liquidation of drafts on
customs. Large numbers of these are extant, and those which have been issued
to Government employees in lieu of arrears of salary (see Sir Andrew Ryan's
despatch No. 298 of the 12th July) are now changing hands at 30 per cent, of their
face value. A month ago they stood on the market at 34 per cent.
8. The whole financial position is so unsatisfactory, and any explanation
of obscurities, where all is obscure, would be of so little avail, even if it were
forthcoming, that I have not thought it worth while to question the Saudi Arab
Government on these and other points. The moment, moreover, is not propitious,
with the rebellion in Asir in full swing. Should Sir Andrew Ryan not already
have your instructions as to the treatment of these questions of Government
indebtedness when he returns next month, I have the honour to enquire what
action you would wish taken, in view of the enclosed memorandum, in regard to
both the capital sums outstanding and the interest now offered.
9. I should add that the Dutch financial adviser returned to Jedda on the
6th November. He was not consulted in any particular regarding this
memorandum, which was, in fact, issued a few days prior to his return, and has
not yet been communicated to him by the Finance Ministry.
10. I am sending a copy of this despatch and enclosure to his Excellency
the Viceroy of India.
I have, &c.
C. G. HOPE GILL.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Memorandum.
(Translation.)
THE Government of His Majesty the King have taken great care concerning
the debts due by them, and His Majesty the King and his Government have paid
special attention to a search for the best means for reaching a settlement of the
question of these debts in a manner which meets both the ability of the Treasury
to pay and the confidence of creditors. As a result of careful search made last
year, His Majesty the King was pleased to issue orders for a precise arrangement
to be made in regard to the Government Treasury, causing the estimated income
to be divided into different parts, of which one part was assigned for the reim
bursement and settlement of these debts.
2. It is not unknown that the fact which caused the Government to adopt this
procedure was the financial strain prevailing all over the world and the shortage
oi revenue of all Governments, caused by the irresistible crisis which entangled
economic affairs and confused and paralysed financial matters. There is no need
to give proof of what the Governments of the world have suffered in general as
a result of this dreadful crisis, as this is known to everybody. When the Govern
ment made their decision last year, namely, to postpone the settlement of debts
tor one year, ending the 10th of the month of November, 1932, they took the most
nopeiul view of the matter and felt optimistic that the beginning of the end of
the crisis was coming, that the estimate made by the Government for their annual
budget might be realised in full and the Government would thus be able to settle
all claims due by their Treasury; but unfortunately the situation did not improve
during last year and Governments and nations continued to suffer from the strain,
anxiety and confusion m financial and economic affairs It has become the duty of
tne Ireasury m every kingdom to take new effective measures for fighting the
crisis and parrying its dangers on the one hand, and for meeting the claims of
creditors on the other. &
^ ^ Treasury, in dealing with creditors, has followed a course in which
the necessities of the economic situation were taken into consideration. It was
based on hel pin g any creditors who might choose to have the debt due to them
quidated by means of deductions to be allowed from the original amounts of
^nf S P aya { ) j e 0I ! ^ oods ^ported into the country. Although we admit that this
method could not be made applicable to all cases of creditors the Government