"ملف 61/11 IV (D 77) مسائل متنوعة خاصة بالحجاز ونجد" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٥] (٣٦٦/٢٤٢)

the two classes of debts owing to Messrs. Gellatly, Hatikey and Co. (Sudan)
(Limited). 1 have as yet nothing more to add.
7. Sheikh Yusuf Yasin and Fuad Bey Hamza spent two busy days in
negotiation with the Government s other creditors in Jedda. I fear that they
have gone too fast. A great diversity of categories of indebtedness and
conditions of security and treatment has been brought to light, but nothing has
been reduqed to writing, and the sheikh and the bey have now returned to Mecca
with views and intentions which undoubtedly conflict with the impressions they
have left behind them with the creditors here.
8. One further point of interest has emerged. It is intended to make
Jedda the chief centre of financial control, and hopes are still entertained of
securing the services of a Dutchman as financial adviser. My Dutch colleague
seems less hopeful.
9. The reform, in short, is late, perhaps too late, in time, drastic in theory,
and reducible in practice to the low levels of local diligence and integrity.
Moreover, it is not obvious how Ibn Saud himself will live, unless he lives on the
salaries of his officials, the funded debts, the pilgrims, or the reserve. I did not
broach the delicate question which.
I have, (fee.
C. G. HOPE GILL.
Enclosure in No. 1.
(Translation.)
Extract from " Umm-al-Qura " of November 13. 1931 (3/7/1350).
P roclamation.
(After compliments.)
IT is known to all that the world crisis has affected every part of the globe,
and every person, each in the measure of his capacity, is trying to put it right.
We, for our part, must do our duty and the duty of our Government in the Hejaz-
Nejd and its Dependencies, by alleviating the effects of this crisis, and by resisting
them as far as is possible, and by such means as the country and the Government
can bear. We therefore ordered our Viceroy to furnish us with detailed
information regarding the whole situation, in general and in particular, and to
explain and to submit this to us through the Minister of Finance and the
Vice-Acting President of the Legislative Council, who arrived here a few days
ago and gave us details of the financial situation. God Almighty has now helped
us to arrive at an organisation of income and expenditure. Expenditure has
been weighed against income in the most advantageous fashion, and revenues of
the Government have been divided up and classified under four headings, each
according to its needs :—
1. Official Salaries.
2. Indebtedness.
3. Reserve.
4. Extraordinary Expenses (not decided upon).
Instructions have accordingly been laid down and arrangements co-ordinated
for the collection and conservation of these revenues, with a view to their being
disbursed under the specific headings. The quotas allocated under the regula
tions and instructions confirmed by us are to be adhered to in such a manner that
no person will be preferred to another in the matter of drawing or disbursing
any money from the Treasury. Under these regulations the principle has been
laid down that salaries and debts shall be settled in equality amongst all persons.
Strict orders have been issued that this principle must be observed, and that any
person infringing these instructions, orders and regulations shall be severely
punished. The budget will, please God, be sufficient to ensure the dues of ail
officials, inhabitants and claimants of the different categories, certain items of
expenditure having been reduced and certain items of revenue having been
increased in very reasonable proportions. It depends for this on the principal
revenue of the country, which the Government are endeavouring, by all the material