مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [ظ‎‎٢‎٨‎٤] (٨٠٢/٥٦٩)

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II.— Frontier Questions and Foreign Relations in Arabia.
4. On the 11th January Sir Andrew Ryan conveyed, in a note to the Minister
for Foreign Affairs, the definite proposals of His Majesty’s Government
regarding the procedure for mutual recognition between Transjordan and Saudi
Arabia and subsequent negotiations for a bilateral treaty, for the execution of^p
which by Transjordan His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom would
be expressly responsible. The Saudi Government's reply of the 22nd January
was reasonably satisfactory, but not altogether precise except on the one point
that Ibn Saud’s assent was inspired entirely by reliance on the guarantee of His
Majesty s Government. British apprehensions regarding a reported concentra
tion of Ikhwan near the frontier were allayed early in the month. Ibn Saud
admitted that he had taken certain measures earlier owing to rumours of possible
incursions from Transjordan, but stated, with apparent truth, that there was no
longer any sort of concentration. Mutual assurances of non-aggressive intentions
were exchanged.
5. lull information was received from the Iraqi Legation during the month
regarding the negotiations for a motor route for pilgrims from Nejef to Medina.
1 he 1 raqi and Saudi Governments have agreed in principle on the trace and all
other points except one, i.e., whether there should be permanent buildings to house
administrative services on the frontier post. The Iraqi Government are keen
on this. The Saudis strongly oppose it and think that tents would do. Even
when the agreement is complete, an elaborate survey will be necessary. There is
no prospect of the route being opened this year. Incidentally, Indian interests
have, of late, busied themselves a good deal with the idea of overland motor
transport from India to the Hejaz via Iraq.
6. The situation on the Asir-Yemen frontier threatened to complicate
relations between Ibn Saud and the Imam, owing to the proximity of Saudi
forces and rebels to the frontier and the presence of Yemeni forces south of Midi.
The relations of the two rulers remained correct, and continued to be represented
as cordial, throughout January. The representative sent by Ibn Saud direct
from Riyadh to Sana some weeks ago left Sana early in January and was said
to be the bearer of a new draft treaty.
III.— Relations with Powers outside Arabia.
7. Relations between the Saudi and British Governments remained friendly.
They turned principally on Transjordan affairs, including the embarrassing
question of the alleged complicity of members of the Amir Abdullah’s entourage
m plots against Ibn Saud. Although the measures taken in various directions
under the auspices of His Majesty’s Government to restrict the activities of
members of the Dabbagh conspiracy were strengthened, it is more difficult to deal
with persons in the Amir's service who are accused by the Saudi Government, like
his cousin, the Amir Shakir, and his chamberlain, Hamid Pasha-al-Wadi.
8. Flie incident between the J^audi and Italian Governments over the
proceedings of an Italian sloop in Asir waters towards the end of December was
closed at the beginning of January by Ibn Sand's acceptance of explanations and
perhaps semi-apologies tendered by the Italian Government.
IV.— Miscellaneous.
9. H.M S. Hastings, Captain Sandford, Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea
Sloops visited Jedda from the 13th to the 15th January. She brought and took
away Sir Ceorge Buchanan, the principal medical officer of the Ministry of
VVVJ VV'T T “ p , nvate K uest at the Legation, but the Saudi authorities
vveie very ready to show him attention. They did not venture to exhibit their
local hospital, but the Director-General of Public Health conducted Sir George
personally to see the water installation at the Waziriva Wells, 10 miles from
Jedda, where there is an American windmill, erected by Mr. Twitchell and a
small expenmental garden, to the private house of a Javanese sheikh of pilgrims
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