مجموعة ٦/ ٩١ "المملكة العربية السعودية. سياسة حكومة بريطانيا. مسألة اتئمانات وضمان المساعدة لابن سعود." [و‎‎٧‎٢] (٦٨٠/١٤٤)

to make a new arrangement and eventually to put our financial assistance on
fixed basis.
After some further discussion, it was agreed that the details of the
arrangement for sharing in the cost of imported goods would be best discussed
in ( airo tin ough the Middle l^ast Supply Centre. Mr. Wallace Murray under
took to telegraph accordingly. Discussions on currency, however, had better
continue in Washington, and Mr. Wallace Murray said that he would empiiasise
the need for an early and practical conclusion. Similar telegrams would be sent
on the British side.
In the course of fhe discussion Mr. Wallace Murray said he heard Ibn Saud
was upset at our withholding certain proceeds of the pilgrimage. Mr. Pinsent
explained how the pilgrimage had been financed and how' the question had leen
satisfactorily settled.
Financial Adviser.
Sir M. Peterson said that Ibn Saud was seriously worried about the financial
situation and had asked us if we could provide a Sunni Moslem financial adviser.
A Sunni Moslem was required because the Finance Department was in Mecca.
The Government of India had been asked if they could find a suitable Sunni
Moslem, but had not yet found one. He would let Mr. Wallace Murrav know the
outcome.
Mr. Wallace Murray was not previously aware that we had been asked for
a financial adviser, but seemed to have no objection to raise.
Military Advisers .
Sir M. Peterson said that Ibn Saud had also asked us for Sunni Moslems
to act as military advisers to train and establish the Saudi Arabian army on
modern lines. He understood, however, that an American Military Mission was
arnving shortly in Saudi Arabia and he therefore wished to discuss the question
- Mr ' Y allace Murra y- Possibly, if the Sunni Moslems were in Mecca and
Medina, which were two of the principal garrison towns, their work could be
co-ordinated with that of the American officers at Taif. Mr. Wallace Murrav
appeared surprised at this information.
Mr. holder said that the American officers arriving in Saudi Arabia wen
not stnctly speaking, a military mission, but were going to train the Saud
Arabian army in the use of the modern weapons which they were shortly receiving
Mr. Wallace Murray said that he knew that the War Department attachec
much impoitance to this question. He would like fuller information on the whol<
subject. It was agreed that a telegram should be sent to Mr. Jordan asking bin
to hnd out from Ibn Saud what in his view the function of the Sunni Moslen
officers would be, and what would be the relation of their functions to those o
the American officers arriving with Colonel Schomber.
Provision of Arms.
Sir M. Peterson drew attention to the fact that His Majesty’s Government
were providing their 50 per cent, of the arms supplied to Ibn Saud as a °-ift
while the American Government were providing theirs as Lease-Lend ’The
American Government had at one time suggested that all the arms should be
provided on the same basis. So far as His Majesty’s Government were concerned
they did not feel that there was really any practical advantage in not making a
gift ot them, as they were most unlikely ever to get them paid for.
It was agreed to let the situation stand as it is.