مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [و‎‎٩‎٤] (٨٠٢/١٨٨)

276. A variety of improvements reported during the month deserve to be
chronicled. A new meat and vegetable market, constructed under the supervision
of the Public Health Department, has now been opened in Jedda. Mecca, too, is
reorganising the arrangements in force there in regard to the killing of animals
and transport of meat. Electricity has ousted kerosene from the streets of Taif.
277. Health, generally, has not been satisfactory, and disturbing reports
have been received from Asir of the prevalence of malaria. Doctors were sent
from Taif, but it is not known how far they have been successful. Rumour
alleges a lack of medicines and that some at least of the doctors have given the
task up as a bad job—or through fright.
II.— Frontier Questions and Foreign Relations in Arabia.
278. The Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed a note to the Legation on
the 16th August alleging transgression of the Saudi-Transjordan frontier by a
Transjordan patrol car on the 5th July last in the Mudawwara area, and lodged
an official protest. The matter has been referred to the British authorities
concerned.
279. Events in Palestine have not so far occupied much of the attention of
the local press (reference paragraph 247). In August there have been fewer
references to this subject than ever, and even publication of particulars of
subscriptions to the fund for Arab sufferers in Palestine have more or less ceased.
Indeed, it is stated that considerable difficulty has been experienced in inducing
people here to subscribe, pressure having been brought to bear in some cases. This
is scarcely surprising in the Ilejaz, where the large elements in the urban
population of Indian, Javanese or African origin take little interest in the cause
of Arab nationalism. It is, of course, far different in Northern Hejaz and Nejd,
and one is impressed with the description, given in a recent Transjordan
Intelligence Report, of the “ passionate interest ” taken in the present situation
in Palestine by Arabs in the northern areas of Saudi Arabia.
280. The Saut-ul-Hejaz of the 25th August published a brief paragraph to
the effect that the Yemen had adhered to the Saudi-Iraqi Treaty of Alliance
(reference paragraph 214). The King of the Yemen, however, is stated to have
asked for further explanations both of the Government of Iraq and of Saudi
Arabia, so it may be that his adhesion is not yet complete.
III.— Relations with Powers outside Arabia.
281. Sir Reader W. Bullard, K.C.M.G., C.I.E., His Majesty’s Minister,
was expected to leave England about the end of August. He is due to arrive
at Port Sudan on the 13th September, and is to cross to Jedda by
H.M.S. Londonderry, arriving the following day.
282. (Reference paragraph 251.) Sheikh Yusuf Yasin replied from Riyadh
by personal letter, suggesting a modification to article 1. of the Koweit draft
regulations and accepting the remaining nine as a basis for discussion. He made
certain other proposals on the subject of relations with Koweit, which are now
under the consideration of His Majesty’s Government and other British
authorities concerned.
283. On the 29th August the eastward-bound Imperial Airways air liner
Horsa forced-landed some 40 miles south of Salwa wells, south of the
Dohat-as-Salwa. The machine, with its occupants fortunately unhurt, was
located on the 30th, and at the end of the month arrangements were being made
for the removal of the passengers and for dealing with the plane, which was
slightly damaged.
284. M. Maigret on the 14th August presented fresh letters of credence to
the Amir Feisal, in his capacity as Viceroy of the Hejaz, this time as Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. It was only as recently as the
25th February last that he presented his letters of credence to King Abdul-Aziz
as Minister Resident. He is now alone in his Legation, as his Algerian
vice-consul proceeded on leave during the month.
285. The Italian Minister remains to share the summer heat with the rest
of us. He was joined by Comm. L. F. Bellini, his vice-consul, who returned
from leave on the 9th. Reference has already been made to the spate of rumour
aroused by the visit of Amir Feisal to Jedda, according to which a high Italian