"ملف 8/7 I تقارير الاستخبارات في جدة" [و‎‎٣‎٩] (٥٣٦/٧٧)

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£500,000 by His Majesty’s Government to Ibn Sa'ud, “ in return for his renuncia
tion of certain matters which affect his independence, such as the appointment of
an English adviser to supervise the organisation of his finances ”
Forgetting the hints and requests and negotiations of last year for financial aid
from London and Amsteidam, the editor concluded : “ The Government of His
Majesty have not contracted a loan with anybody, thank God, and they cannot
tolerate interference in any matter which concerns their complete and full inde
pendence.” M. van Leeuwen is due to arrive in April.
12 . The market value of the Sa’udi riyal fluctuated during the quarter between
17 and 15 to the gold sovereign and 13 and 11J to the £ sterling, with a strengthening
tendency due to the approaching pilgrimage.
13. Economic Situation. —Eamadhan is normally an expensive and busy
month, when the merchants and shop-keepers expect to do well. This year there
was absolute stagnation in Mecca and conditions were little better in Jedda. The
populations of the towns were too crippled with debt to move. Such information
as was received about the tribes indicated that their condition was still no better
than that of utmost misery described in paragraph 17 of the November-December
report.
14. Economic Devebpment. —Mr. Twitched returned to the Hejaz on January
18th from his prospecting tour in Nejd and the Hasa, the main results of which
are still hidden. It is known, however, that he advocates the sinking of wells
along the Jedda-Itiyadh-Hufuf road and the construction of a harbour at Ras
Tanura on the Hasa coast. In the latter half of February he examined some ancient
workings near Medina called “ Mahd Dhahab ” or “ Got of Gold ”, which are
supposed to date from Harun-ar-Rashid’s days. He considers it worth while to
employ up to 100 men in sampling the site. His confederate, Mr. Moseley, working
alone on quartzes near Taif, does not seem to have found anything worth report
ing. He left early in March for the United States of America and Mr. and
Mrs. Twitched sailed for the Yemen on March 7th, leaving voluminous
reports and recommendations in the hands of Ibn Sa’ud and his Council. The
former apparently resented being given advice for which he had not asked. The
latter passed the reports round amongst their more commercially-connected
friends, no doubt with suitable safeguards against the time when concessions
should be granted and the work of development began. If mere cupidity were
enough, this would be the wealthiest country in the world. But wdiere energy
and ability is needed, there is no power and no might save in God alone.
15. Customs. —The Jedda customs receipts for the first three Moslem months
of the financial year which began on December 11th last were, according to un
official information supplied to the Legation, Piastres Miri 4,925,558-30, equiva
lent at the rate of exchange then ruling to £27,400 gold. Other Red Sea ports of
the kingdom, e.g., Yanbu, took perhaps half as much again, which would bring the
total to about £40,000 gold. The Persian Gulf Customs were framed out in
January last for 11 lakhs of rupees to Muhammad-at-Tawil, once Prime Minister
of the Hejaz, during the reign of King ’Ali. He was sent to the Hasa by Ibn
Sa’ud in the autumn of 1930 to reform the customs administration (Jedda report for
September to November 1930, paragraph 4). In February, however, Muhammad-
at-Tawil apparently had to ask that the figure of 11 lakhs should be reduced, as he
was unable to raise the amount. He visited Jedda in March after a year and a
half’s absence in Nejd, wither he has now returned unwillingly at the King’s orders.
In his present frame of mind it is quite possible that he may try to escape the coun
try, once back on the Persian Gulf coast, and seek freedom by way of Bahrain.
16. Wireless System. —None of the monthly instalments of £l,000 have been
paid to the Marconi Company since last August. It is understood that they have
now been relegated to item 5 of the “ budget ”, entitled indebtedness, payable if
and when funds admit. Meanwhile the work of installation proceeded slowly.
Mr. Boucicault is believed to have completed the J-kilowatt station at Qaf o:
Qaryat al Milh, the ‘‘ Salt-villages ” in the Wadi Sirhan. Kurdy Bey has started
work on the main 6-kilowatt station at Mecca.
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