مجموعة ٦/ ٩ "تقارير جدة يناير ١٩٣١ -" [و‎‎٣‎٠‎٧] (٨٠٢/٦١٤)

9
269. It is now the fashion in hi^h Hejazi circles to acclaim King Feisal as
a good neighbour, a sterling Arab and a reasonable man to deal with in contrast
with ex-King Ali, who is mistrusted, and the Amir Abdullah, who is much more
mistrusted and detested as well.
Chapter IV.— Air Matters.
Hejazi A ir Force.
270. As a result of the study given in London to the renewed suggestion
that a Royal Air Force mission should be sent to Jedda (see paragraph 215),
Sir A. Ryan was requested to explain the difficulties to the Hejazi Government.
He did so in conversation with Fuad Bey Hamza on the 11th August, handing
him at the same time a memorandum, unofficial because the matter was being
dealt with personally, in which the difficulties regarding personnel, language,
conditions at Jedda, cost and technical considerations were exposed, and precise
indications were sought as to whether the Hejazis wanted to build up a fighting
unit capable of ultimate expansion or merely to create a small unit for
-communication purposes, using a simple type of aircraft. This memorandum
Fuad Bey took away to study at leisure.
A erial Trespass.
271. See paragraph 250 (Transjordan frontier).
General.
272.
Chapter V.— Military Matters.
See paragraphs 239 to 247 (internal situation).
Chapter VI.— Naval Matters.
British.
273. H.M.S. “Hastings” (Captain C. S. Sandford, R.N.) left northern
Red Sea waters for Malta on the 23rd July. H.M.S. “Penzance” (Commander
A. R. Farquhar, R.N.) remained in northern waters for some time after the actual
defeat of Ibn Rifada, in case of further developments, which failed, however, to
materialise ; then proceeded via Kosseir to Jedda, arriving on the 30th August.
Foreign.
274. Nil.
Chapter Nil.—Pilgrimage.
Indian.
275. As a normal aftermath of pilgrimage 258 Indian destitutes were
repatriated on the 28th July at a cost to the Government of India of £775. They
were, however, fewer in number than last year, and formed a lower percentage of
the total Indian pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage Report.
276. His Majesty’s Minister’s comprehensive survey of the 1932 (A.H. 1350)
pilgrimage was completed for despatch on the 1st September.
1933 (A.H. 1351) Pilgrimage.
277. As a result of last season's unpleasant experiences (see paragraphs 91
to 96) and of the representations made by the Legation and many leading
pilgrims, the Hejazi Government have apparently taken their lessons to heart, at
least in theory, and have promulgated an early and much improved pilgrimage
tariff for next season, including transport charges. This was communicated to
the Legation on the 9th August; it is being attentively studied and will be
circulated in due course to the interested Governments of the Empire.