مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [و‎‎٢‎١‎٦] (٨٠٢/٤٣٢)

5
86. (Reference paragraph 56.) The ratifications of the Saudi-Afghanistan
Treaty of the 5th May, 1932, were eventually exchanged in Mecca on the
1st April, and the treaty itself was published in the Mecca newspaper
Umm-al-Qura of the 18th April. Despite the Saudi attitude towards its being
signed in Mecca (see paragraph 211 of the Jedda report for May-June 1932), it
|Vas found to contain an express provision for exchange of ratifications in Mecca,
(Bid it is possible that their disinclination to stand by this clause was responsible
for the delay in exchanging the ratifications.
87. There is nothing else to record in this chapter, except that the Turkish
Charge went on leave, greatly rejoicing, on the 6th April.
IV.— Miscellaneous.
88. The Commissioner of Port Sudan and Mrs. Red fern stayed at the
Legation from the 12th to the 16th April. Mr. Redfern’s visit afforded a useful
opportunity for discussing various matters of common interest, notably certain
questions connected with the scheme, which has come into operation this year, for
the better regulation of the pilgrimage from Nigeria. He was presented to the
King on the 13th April.
89. The Dutch engineer, M. Flieringa, who was one of the recent Dutch
mission to the Yemen (paragraph 55 of the last report), outstayed his companions
to make further researches in that country, including a visit to fealif. He
eventually got back to Jedda and left for Holland on the 6th April. M. Jacobs,
who has for several years ably managed the “Dutch Bank, ’ left Jedda for
good on the 20th April, giving place to a M. Entrop. Mr. J. A. Smith, the
managing director of Messrs. Gellatly, Hankey’s business in the Sudan, visited
Jedda from the 23rd to the 25th April. Mr. Bates, the ornithologist
(paragraph 40 of the report for February), left on the 25th April, after haying
collected, in collaboration with Mr. Philby, some 300 specimens of Hejazi birds,
representing something like 120 species.
90. The worst dust-storm of recent years raged in and around Jedda, both
by land and sea, on the 3rd April. Ships were unable to enter the port that day
and the climatic conditions ashore were horrible. Two similar, but less
unpleasant, days followed. On the third day, the 5th April, a great fire ravaged
the African village outside the town, destroying in a few hours an estimated
number of some 160 compounds each containing a number of huts. Many British
subjects and protected persons were affected, but there was no loss of British
life. The Saudi Government are always unsympathetic towards these poor,
though industrious, Takrunis, as they are called. They have seemed inclined
to push to oppressive lengths measures, legitimate in themselves, to restrict
rebuilding close to the town walls.
91. The dispersal of the pilgrimage proceeded on normal lines throughout
the month. As always, minor problems have arisen, but they have not presented
serious difficulty. The Alexandria Quarantine Board declared the returning
pilgrimage clean on the 9th April.
92. It looked at one moment as though the thirty-three motor pilgrims from
India (paragraph 63 of the last report) might become a burden on the British
Legation, as the pilgrims ‘ ‘ were very unwilling ’ ’ to trust themselves again to
the° contractors who had let them down so badly. Steps were taken to impress
on the Saudi Government the view that they should deal with the matter, and
it seems to have been adjusted somehow. The annual problem of ordinary
destitutes remains.
93. The position as regards the manumission of slaves during the month
was as follows :—
On hand at the beginning of the month : 1 male, 2 females, 1 child.
Took refuge in April: 4 males, 1 female, 1 child.
Manumitted in April and repatriated : Nil.
Locally manumitted : Nil.
Returned to Ibn Saud (see below) : 1 male.
On hand at the end of the month : 4 males, 3 females, 2 children.
94. A slave undoubtedly belonging to the King’s household took refuge
on the 11th April. This threatened to create a very difficult question, as the