"ملف 61/11 V (D 95) مسائل متنوعة خاصة بالحجاز ونجد" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٩] (٥٣٠/٣٣٤)

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
EASTERN (A rabia)
CONFIDENTIAL.
fE 3609/2401/25]
S ection 1.
No. 1
Sir A. Ryan to Sir John Simon.—{Received July 4.)
No. 182. Secret.)
ir, Jedda, June 14, 1933.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 119 of the 18th April, I have the honour
to state that Ibn Saud again came to Jedda early on the 10th June, in anticipation
of an early departure for Riyadh. He gave his usual series of formal audiences
to heads of foreign missions that morning, beginning with me, as the Soviet
Minister was in Mecca. His Majesty appeared to be in good form and was as
affable as usual. I presented Mr. Calvert.
2. Following on general conversation of the usual anodyne character, the
King observed that the autumn was his busy time in Nejd, as it was there that
the leading people flocked about him, each expecting the personal attention of the
Sovereign. He went on to say that within a year to two his son Saud might be
trained enough to relieve him of this burden. I took the opportunity of con
gratulating His Majesty in person on the action he had so wisely taken to provide
for the future of the throne. The King, in thanking me, stressed the fact that
he had not taken the initiative, but yielded to the appeal's of his people.
3. The King's remark about the Amir Saud derives some significance from
a report which reached me on the 3rd June in a form too uncertain to be worth
reporting at the time, that the King was contemplating abdication and was only
waiting for the return of the mission he had sent to the Yemen. Without wishing
to exaggerate the probability of such an event at some not too distant date, I
think that it should be borne in mind as a possibility. To an European, it may
seem unlikely that a man of 53 with Ibn Saud's past should contemplate such a
step at the height of his achievement. I am not sure, however, that it would be
alien to his character to retire in favour of the son, whom he has so spectacularly
installed as Heir Apparent, hoping perhaps to guide the steps of his successor
during the remainder of his own life. It is nearly three years since Fuad Bey
spoke to me of the King's desire to reduce his burden of responsibility, and " to
reign rather than to rule." This forecast proved false, but there have been faint
indications of a slow movement in that direction. Ibn Saud has tended to lead
a somewhat easier life than of old. He has left more in the hands of his advisers,
though he still controls them all in major matters. He has accepted now consti
tutional forms, which, though they appear to us rather illusory at present, are not
wholly unreal. Last year he made new secretarial arrangements at Riyadh,
which involved the transfer to the Amir Saud of his own chief secretary, Ibrahim-
ibn-Muammar, who has now gone as Charge d'Affaires to Bagdad.
4. I collect these indications for two reasons. Slight as they are, they lend
support to the idea that Ibn Saud may end his active career, or at any rate his
public career, by abdication rather than by death. Secondly, and this is of more
interest to His Majesty's Government, such an intention would help to explain
the rather marked tendency which Ibn Saud has shown during the past year to
seek to compose various differences which might militate against the success of a
new ruler; to disarm hostility among his own subjects; and to reduce the possi
bilities of quarrel with neighbouring countries like Iraq, Transjordan, the Yemen,
and perhaps even Koweit.
5. I sought a further audience with the King on the 11th June to discuss
business. I will report what passed separately in connexion with the subjects I
raised, in so far as it may be necessary to record it. The King broached no
subject of his own.
6. Ibn Saud returned to Mecca late on the 12th June. During his short
stay. His Majesty gave a great deal of time to Captain H. C. Armstrong, who is
writing his biography and whom he consented, as a result of correspondence
through the Saudi Minister in London, to receive in Jedda. Captain Armstrong
[851 d—1]