مجموعة ٦/ ٩١ "المملكة العربية السعودية. سياسة حكومة بريطانيا. مسألة اتئمانات وضمان المساعدة لابن سعود." [ظ‎‎٢‎١‎٧] (٦٨٠/٤٣٥)

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Enclosure 1.
Mr. Stonehewer-Bird to King 'Abdul Aziz.
Your Majesty, Jedda, February 2, 1940.
HIS Excellency Sheikh Hafez Wahba on the 18th January conveyed to
at your Majesty’s command an acknowledgment of my letter of the 17th Januar^
regarding Dr. Grobba and at the same time requested me to communicate to the
Government in the United Kingdom your Majesty’s views on this matter. On
the 21st January Sheikh Hafez informed me that permission was not being
granted to Dr. Grobba to return.
I am authorised to inform your Majesty that the Government in the United
Kingdom have learnt with interest of your attitude to Dr. Grobba’s visit and
applaud the resolution with which your Majesty has acted. They feel that
having taken this stand it is necessary for your Majesty’s dignity and from every
point of view that you should abide by it. They are convinced that you need
have no apprehensions about the consequences. It is almost unthinkable to suggest
that Italy would break the Middle East Agreement and risk war with Great
Britain for the sake of German representation in Saudi Arabia. The Govern
ment in the United Kingdom have always tried to advise your Majesty in your
own best interests. In this case the advice was based on the sincere belief that
the misunderstandings to which the reception of a diplomat of Dr. Grobba’s
reputation would give rise and to the offensive which he might attempt would be
as embarrassing and dangerous for your Majesty as for the Government in the
United Kingdom. Had they had the slightest grounds to suppose that a refusal
might have serious consequences they would certainly have warned your Majesty.
If, nevertheless, your Majesty feels that Italian retaliation is possible they invite
you to read again paragraph 6 of the letter which the Prime Minister addressed
to your Majesty on the 23rd March and also paragraph 2 of Sir Reader Bullard’s
letter of the 30th April. The Government feel that these two messages will show
that they regard your Majesty’s interests as their own.
I have, &c.
F. H. W. STONEHEWER-BIRD.
Enclosure 2.
Mr. Stonehewer-Bird to King 'Abdul Aziz.
Your Majesty, Jedda, February 2, 1940.
IN addition to the question of Dr. Grobba’s reception, on which I have
addressed a separate letter to your Majesty, his Excellency Sheikh Hafez Wahba
raised other matters on which he stated your Majesty wished to learn the views
of the Government in the United Kingdom.
I duly communicated with the Government and have now received their
reply.
I am able to assure your Majesty that the Government in the United
Kingdom have complete confidence in your Majesty’s loyalty. They fully realise
the difficulties which have beset your path in recent years. For your numerous
marks of friendship they are and will always be grateful.
Your Majesty will understand the difficulties which now face the Government
in the United Kingdom. They are studying the possibility of supplying arms
and ammunition but regret that they cannot hold out very strong hope that they
will be able for the present to meet your Majesty’s request in this matter.
On the other hand, I am happy to be able to inform your Majesty that the
Government in the United Kingdom are prepared to meet bills for food-stuffs
purchased in India up to £100,000 sterling. Details regarding charges, &c.,
and arrangements for repayment can be settled later. Meanwhile the existing
offer of credit for £85,000 for purchase of arms remains open.
I am to add that His Majesty’s Government will always consider
sympathetically suggestions for securing the prosperity of Saudi Arabia, but in
this connexion it will be appreciated that while the resources of His Majesty’s
Government may appear considerable the demands on these resources are
enormous.
I have, &c.
F. H. W. STONEHEWER-BIRD.