مجموعة ٦/ ١٩ "الجزيرة العربية: (المملكة العربية السعودية) التقرير السنوي لمملكة الحجاز ونجد." [و‎‎١‎٤‎٠] (٥٤٠/٢٨٠)

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102. One amusing incident may be mentioned. Early in the year the
United States Minister at Bagdad visited Muscat and airily announced his
intention of running up to Riyadh to see Ibn Saud. He reckoned without his
host, who firmly though tactfully turned him down. This must be attributed to
motives of general policy rather than to any dislike of Americans. Indeed,
Dame, an American missionary doctor at Bahrein, is a not infrequent visitor
to the King, who has a high opinion of his medical abilities.
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(14) Japan and Manchukuo.
103. The Saudi-Yemen war seems to have attracted a good deal of attention
in Tokyo, where several articles dealing with it and with Saudi Arabia were
published. There is some tendency in Saudi circles to be impressed by recent
indications of Japanese interest in Islam and Islamic countries, even by rumours
that Japan may be going Moslem. The Minister of Finance is reported to have
acclaimed Japan, in private conversation, as the greatest of countries and a
potential exporter of pilgrims. There has, however, been no confirmation of a
report circulated in the autumn about the proposed appointment of a certain
Muhammad As-Saqqaf as Japanese consul in Saudi Arabia. This report was
denied in Tokyo.
104. For the moment greater importance attaches to the interest shown by
Japan in trade with Arabia. Japanese goods of various kinds, especially piece-
goods, find their way indirectly to the Hejaz and are in considerable demand.
The Japanese drive has manifested itself more directly in the Persian Gulf, which
has been visited by Japanese merchants and has begun to be frequented by
Japanese ships. Cargoes carried in these vessels to Bahrein in the autumn were
in part intended for transhipment to the Hasa coast.
105. In March the Saudi Government sought British advice both in Jedda
and London regarding a telegram from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of
Manchukuo announcing the proclamation of the new Emperor and expressing a
hope for normal relations with Saudi Arabia. They were informed of the
attitude of Great Britain and all the other League of Nations Powers, except
Japan, as regards non-recognition, but they were given no formal advice. It is
not known what, if any, action they took.
(15) Other Powers.
106. There is little or nothing to record under this head. The Vatican
continues to include all Arabia in the province of successive Apostolic Delegates
for Palestine, Egypt, &c. It should have been mentioned in the last report that
in May 1933 the Czechoslovakian consul at Jerusalem was appointed consul for
Saudi Arabia also, but did not visit the latter country in that year. He again
did not appear in 1934, but a certain amount of Czechoslovakian trade precedes
the flag. Some irritation was caused in the French consulate at Jedda and some
amusement in other circles in December when the French Moslem, Colonel
Ibrahim Depui, a man who has played many roles, military, official and other, in
Arabia and the surrounding countries, let it be known at the outset of his latest
visit that he wished to resume his position as Belgian consul, which he claimed
to have formerly held. The French Charge d’Affaires, who now looks after
Belgian interests, declined to recognise the claim in the absence of any notification
from higher authority.
(C)— Position in regard to the General International System and the
League of 'Nations.
107. The Saudi Government were too greatly preoccupied with the internal
affairs of Arabia in 1934 to make any real forward move towards participation
in the life of the international community as a whole, even had they been disposed