"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٨] (٤٣٤/٣١٥)

Enclosure 18 to S. No. (1).
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the merciful.
2nd Shaaban, 1355,
(October 21st 1936).
From His Majesty the Imam Yahya bin Muhammad Hamid-ud-Bin,
to His Excellency Sir Bernard Reilly, K.C.M.G., C.I.E., O.B.E.,
Resident, etc.
We extend to your Excellency our respects.
We beg to call your kind attention to an incident which we regret to
report to Your Excellency and which has happened during your absence
from Aden on leave. This incident has caused all kinds of doubt and un
easiness in all parts of the country and a great deal of surprise and amaze
ment due to our ignorance of its reason.
Mr. Philby, wl o has chosen to reside in the Hejaz for some years, claimed
in the month of July last to be the representative of Great Britain and thus
earned for himself the immunities and privileges accorded to Political Re
presentation. He brought a group of armed men and, with them, crossed
the Yemini Boundary in ears near Najran and came down to the Hadhramaut
where he told them (the Hadhramis) different stories. He claimed that he
would construct a motorcar road between the Hejaz and the Hadhramaut
and that he would erect in some places stations and buildings. We have
heard from certain people that Mr. Philby encouraged our people to take
aggressive measures against the Yemeni Government and its territories. He
entered Marib and Jof and said different things. Mr. Philby is a British sub
ject and is still under British protection. His entrance into our country
with armed men without permission violates international regulations as
does his wandering about within our country and the making of declarations
against our Government. His strange conduct has excited our people and
W e are sure that Great Britain never permits or encourages any such
unwarranted behaviour.
We therefore earnestly beg Your Excellency to request your Govern
ment, who is aware of every single thing that happens, to inquire carefully
into the matter and to be good enough to inform us of the real reason for
this strange incident. We also request the British Government to inflict
a suitable punishment on Mr. Philby and to assure the non-repetition of such
an incident in the future.
In conclusion we extend our respect and wishes for your good health.
Enclosure 19 to S. No. (1).
Cypher telegram from the Acting Resident, Aden, to the Secretary
of State for the Colonies, No. 67, dated 31st August 1936.
(Repeated to Jedda).
My telegram No. 64, dated the 30th August, Philby with two Saudi
servants is at present in Mukalla which he reached via Terim and Shihr while
his main party is in Shabwa. Apparently one of his cars broke down near
Shibam and he has now telegraphed to Aden for spares which will be forwarded
to him. I have asked him to inform me of his future movements.
Enclosure 20 to S. No. (1).
Cypher telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to
the Acting Resident at Aden, No. 72, dated 1st September 1936.
(Repeated to Jedda).
Your telegrams of 30th and 31st August. I agree to letter being sent to
Philby on lines proposed in your telegram of 24th August if you are satisfied
that he w^as accompanied by Saudi armed party. You should also inform
65(C) ExAffairsDept.