مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [ظ‎‎٢‎٣‎٤] (٨٠٢/٤٦٩)

2
269. The aeroplane bringing Talaat Pasha Harb and three other members
of the Egyptian commercial mission to this country (see paragiaphs an )
landed on the afternoon of the 3rd December, when Jedda turned out en masse to
witness the spectacle. The mission were officially welcomed and were en ei ainec
as guests of the Saudi Government for the period of their stay The aeroplane
was a De Havilland Dragon, and was piloted by Mr G. J. Mahony of Mi||^
Airwork, S.A.E. Talaat Pasha spent a busy week in Jedda and Mecca, engagtTT
both in business conferences and in undergoing a strenuous course ot baudi
hospitality. He distributed largesse broadcast in the shape of samples ot goods,
especially cheap textiles of Egyptian manufacture, and generously arranged tor
large numbers of the local inhabitants of Jedda, where the aeroplane remame
during the visit, to be taken for short joy-rides over the town. As tor the business
objects of the visit, it was understood that the agency of the Banque M^sr’ as
regards its purely banking business, was given for the time being to Messis.
Gellatlv, Hankey and Co., although it is believed that the bank intends in due
course to establish a branch of its own in this country. Local representation ot
the recently purchased Egyptian pilgrim-ships was confided to Messis. Haji
Abdullah Ali Ridha, but little precise information had. at the end of the month
come to hand regarding the activities of the mission in organising the sale °f
Egyptian products. It is believed that the question of the transport of pilgrims
to this country by air was also raised, but the impression has been gathered ^Tat
the attitude of the Saudi authorities on this subject was unpromising.
mission left on the 10th by air for Yanbu, whence Talaat Pasha paid a short
visit, by car, to Medina. The flight back to Egypt was resumed on the 13th, and
the journey successfully accomplished the same day.
270. The increase in tonnage dues announced in July last (see
paragraph 141), and which it was for a time hoped would remain unenforced, is
now being levied on all shipping using the Saudi ports of Jedda, Yanbu, Rabigh
and Wejh. The effect, in respect of Khedivial steamers, is to double the dues
paid by that company, viz., from £3 gold to £6 gold at each port of call.
271. (Reference paragraph 173.) The supply of water to Jedda from the
wells at Waziriya has again suffered a setback. Water continues to arrive and
the flow is considered satisfactory, but nothing has been done, and to all appear
ances is likely to be done, to renew at least part of the 7 miles of conduit
from the wells to the town. It has now been established that the pipes in the
section nearer to the town are not only rotten but are so full of the accumulated
filth of ages that the water, reasonably pure at source, arrives in the town highly
contaminated. Europeans, therefore, and even natives of the better sort, eschew
it. Meanwhile, the indefatigable Sheikh Muhammad Dehlavi and the Waziriya
Committee labour to extend the old Turkish conduit further back into the catch
ment area in the foothills in order to increase the head of water.
272. On the 8th December the Umm-el-Qura announced that certain
modifications in charges in respect of urgent telegraphic messages, both foreign
and inland, were to be introduced in accordance with the decision of the Madrid
International Telegraph Conference. The date of the introduction of these
charges was not indicated.
273. (Reference paragraph 214.) The economic and financial situation of
the country shows no improvement. In spite of determined efforts to reduce
expenditure, efforts which have involved, among other things, default in respect
of their foreign and internal debts, and non-payment of the salaries of Govern
ment employees, the maintenance of large forces in Asir is proving a serious
drain on the Saudi Exchequer. Trade is sadly reduced—large stocks are still
held from 1932, and pilgrims are now less numerous and seem very largely to be
drawn from the poorer classes. There is a temporary, buoyancy due to the
approaching pilgrim season, but, unless numbers of pilgrims prove unexpectedly
large, the ensuing period will witness an economic prostration in Saudi Arabia
which may, indeed, be serious.
274. The military situation in Asir (reference paragraph 244) has more or
less marked time during December. Reinforcements continued to be drafted
south, but in smaller numbers, and it may be supposed that the bulk of Ibn Saud’s
resources in men and warlike material had been mustered and strategically
disposed by the end of the month. Some work on the lines of communication,
viz., the road from Taif to Abha, via Qalat Bisha, has been undertaken and motor
transport, it is claimed, can now traverse this length of road in five days. The