مجموعة ٦ / ٤ (١) "عسير: تولي ابن سعود السيطرة على الإدارة الداخلية لعسير". [ظ‎‎٣‎٤‎٧] (١١٠٤/٧٠١)

10
two months. It did not prevent the discussion of other business but t
necessitated the postponement of various questions and imposed caution in th
handling of others lest an already tense situation should be aggravated On th 6
1st April Sheikh Yusuf Yasin sought an interview with Sir A. Ryan un( | 6
the King’s instructions, with the express object of expressing the perplexit'
created in Ibn Saud’s mind by the recent severity exhibited by His Maiestvi
Government and the rigour of the Minister’s own language on certain subieci
notably the questions of the Eastern Telegraph Company’s cable account
Sir A. Ryan explained that there was no change in His Majesty’s Government's
fundamental attitude towards Ibn Saud, but said that they dealt with questions
on their individual merits. The Transjordan question was one of such capital
importance that it might affect general relations. The Eastern Telegraph
Company question was not on the same plane, but the Legation had taken a strong
line because it had become a scandal. The Minister gave examples of the efforts
made to prevent an admittedly acute situation from being still further envenomed
e.g., the avoidance by His Majesty’s Government of all publicity in connexion
with the Transjordan crisis and the restraint which he has himself exercised in
dealing with the question of chauffeurs (paragraphs 9 to 13), although he felt
very strongly about it.
37. All passages of arms notwithstanding, relations remained as friendly
as could be expected throughout the two months. In spite of the electrical
character of Sir A. Ryan s audience on the 2nd March to discuss Transjordan, the
King united him to a second audience on the 4:th M^arch to discuss more ordinary
business. Various social courtesies helped to limit the area of tension notably
the Legation dinner on the 8th April in honour of Nuri Pasha. At the time of
and after the pasha s visit, friendly pergonal communications passed between
Sir r. Humphrys and Ibn Saud. They related partly to a gift of two wireless
sets, which, after various accidental delays, were offered by the High
commissioner to the King on his own behalf, and that of His Majesty’s Govern
ment as a souvenir of the Lupin Conference. The message addressed to His
ajes y on the occasion of their delivery contained a formal expression of the
goodwill of His Majesty’s Government in addition to that of Sir Francis’s
personal sentiments.
Money Order Agreement with India.
Pj ra 8 r ^ph 33 of January-February report. This matter advanced
i qoqTu W 16 ( lrectlon bringing the text up to date on lines agreed upon in
’ u e a g leemen t h a d not been actually concluded up to the end of April.
mnHmiori negotiations (January-February report, paragraph 36)
French Livp mont ^ s ; Loth sides continue to be reticent. The
ness over form U n r 'Yusuf Yasin difficult and complain of his meticulous-
of slow in o- dm 8 ^M 31 ^ 1011 - It is understood that the latest phase has been one
or Slowing down rather than progress.
caratranlfw ^ ltlOn . 0 l th - e treat y negotiations (January-February report,
the Italian rr l Q1 ?/ JearS to slm ^ ar to that between Hejaz-Nejd and France; but
< consul is even more reticent than the French Charg‘d d’Affaires.
Germany.
of hisamSmmpn^^ mforined the foreign representatives on the 24th March
an exeauaPir from o G S£ man cons ul for the Hejaz. He had previously obtained
Saudian r&>W He ^ azi Government, probably the first issued under the
possibilitvo? o cprcp n con ^ rsation with Sir A. ftyan he foreshadowed the
via Constant!nonlp * coasu ^ e J ) n g appointed in a year or so. He left for German)
I c m April for mixed family and business reasons, and lef