"ملف 61/11 V (D 95) مسائل متنوعة خاصة بالحجاز ونجد" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٠] (٥٣٠/٤١٦)

35
of June 1926. Remained editor of the TJmm-al-Qura for some years, but was also
official Director of Publicity. Took part in negotiations with' Sir G. Clayton in
1925, 1927 and 1928. Acted as Minister for Foreign Affairs in absence of
Dr. 'Abdullah Damluji in 1926 and 1927. Reported in 1928 to have worked to
undermine influence both of Damluji, who resigned that year, and of Hafiz
Wahba {q.v) Employed in various negotiations and again acted at the Ministry
for Foreign Affairs, for Fuad Hamza early in 1931, and for the 'Amir Faysal
and Fuad as well in 1932, but has for some years been principally important as a
personal secretary to the King, who made him head of the political section of his
diwan in 1930, and whom he always accompanies. Was notorious for his
obstructiveness during the Clayton negotiations, and is naturally obstinate and
hair-splitting in discussion, but can on occasion be amiable and even conciliatory.
Takes his cue, in fact, from the King himself, to whom he appears to be genuinely
devoted, and who probably trusts him as much as any of his near advisers except
'Abdullah Suleyman. Is probably a more convinced Wahhabi than most of the
King's alien entourage and is also a strong Arab nationalist, with fewer ulterior
motives than Fuad Hamza, having a simpler character and less European
knowledge. Has the eyes of a fanatic. Works very hard. Though a very useful
factotum to the King, is rather a butt in high circles. A facile and sometimes
intemperate writer, still responsible for contributions to the Umm-al-Qura.
Speaks only Arabic well, but can manage a little English.
97. Zawdwi Family.
A Mecca family, worth mentioning because one of them, viz., Yusuf
'AU az-Zawdwi appears to have been concerned at Cairo in 1932 in plots against
Ibn Sa'ud; and because this or another Zawawi may have been in reality the
person who went to France in the summer to buy arms for the conspirators. The
man who went to buy the arms was first described as being Muhammad Pasha
az-Zawi [sic'], and was afterwards identified at Aden as being Hamid Pasha
al-Wadi, then head of the Amir 'Abdullah's diwan. It is difficult to reconcile
this with what is known of Hamid Pasha al-Wadi's movements about that time.
Anyhow, whoever went to buy the arms, whether Zawi, Zawawi or Wadi, was
associated with another person ' Abdul-Qadir Hamad ba-Hamid, and the names
may have got mixed up.