مجموعة ٤/٦(٢) "عسير: العلاقات بين المملكة العربية السعودية واليمن." [و‎‎١‎٢‎١] (٧٩٦/٢٤٨)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
6
EASTERN (Arabia).
CONFIDENTIAL.
January 2. 1934.
Section 2.
=fE 50/2/25] No. 1.
Sir E. Drummond to Sir John Simon.—{Received January 2, 1934.)
(No. 1022.) Rome, December 30, 1933.
WITH reference to my telegram No. 389j3f to-day’s date, I have the honoui
to transmit herewith translations of three notes verbales^) from the Italian
Government on the subject of the situation in South-West Arabia, together with
a translation of a personal letter from Signor Suvich to myself which accompanied
these notes. . . . , r
2. It is evident from the tone of this last communication that the Italian
Government attach real importance to the projected discussions in Rome; and
for that reason, if for no other, I hope that it will be possible for a member oi
your Department to come out here as soon as is convenient. From the lirst two
notes you will observe that the Italian Government are anxious to justify their
own attitude in regard to Asir; and no doubt they still have hopes of influencing
in some degree that of His Majesty’s Government. In effect, however, they have
agreed to conversations in full realisation of the latter s attitude, a] Af they
cannot complain if His Majesty’s Government eventually fail to modify it.
Their arguments, however, are moderately set forth, and will no doubt receive
the examination which they merit.
3 I reoret that the Italian Government should have thought it necessary
to send the third note verbale at all; but it should be remembered that they have
throughout maintained that (in their view) it is impossible for British policy
to be conducted in watertight compartments. _ « . at ooq r
4 I should perhaps add that the substance of Jedda telegram No. 223 of
the 26th December and the gist of No. 226 of the 29th December were conveyed
to the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. As regards the latter telegram
it was merely stated that, according to the Saudi Government agreement seemed
to be in sight on all the major points (including Asir), with the exception of
Neiran. Signor Guarnaschelli, to whom this information was given, expressed
pleasure and relief at the progress made, which, he seemed to infer, implied that
Ibn Saud had, in fact, consented to “ negotiate m regard to Asir. He added
that he would try to obtain confirmation of the progress made from Sanaa. ,
I have, &c.
ERIC DRUMMOND.
Enclosure 1 in No. 1.
M. Suvich to Sir E. Drummond.
(Translation.)
My las ’ t f ew W eeks we have had occasion to consider the situation
in Arabia- the Ministry has been in contact on this subject with the Embassy,
and your Excellency has forwarded certain notes regarding the various aspects
of ^ Ration ^itself.^ ^ to ^ noteS; which I have preferred to
submit together given the connexion between them, and after having given my
own partfcuta aftention to the question, both in its present phase and m its
PreC BesWe P s h the eS events which are now taking place in Arabia the fundamental
fact which underlies these notes is formed, as you know, by the conclusions of
[6 b—2]
P) Not printed.
B