مجموعة ٦/ ٦٥ "العلاقات بين المملكة العربية السعودية واليمن". [و‎‎٢‎٣‎٧] (٩١٧/٤٧٣)

At 1030 H.M.3. ENTERPRISE sailed from Kama ran
and effected the rendezvous with HASTINGS at 1110.
Senior Officer, Red Sea Sloops coming on board immediately.
At 1200 both ships proceeded, H.M.S.ENTERPRISE
tO Hodeida, H.M.3. HASTINGS to Kaaaran.
At 1420 H.M.3. ENTERPRISE arrived at Hodeida,
anc ioring 3 miles off shore, and the Commanding Officer,
H.M.S. PENZANCE came on board at 1430 to explain the
situation. (See H.M.S. PENZANCE* e report No.O/65 of Nth
May) (Accompanying tracing shows the position of ships in
harbour).
13.
Guard
At 1600 I received the Italian Officer of the
He conveyed to me the compliments of Capitano di
Guard, He conveyed to me the compliments of Capitano di
Vascello Mario Bonetti of the Survey Vessel *MAgNAGHI* and
informed me that he had transferred to the "AZIO* and was
acting as Italian S.N.O.
14. At 1630 I left H.M.S. ENTERPRISE in company with
the Commanding Officer H.M.S. PENZANCE and Commander C.H.L.
Woodhouse of H.M.S. ENTERPRISE landing at 1600. I was
received by the Amir Peisal in command of the Saudi
occupation of Hodeida. He received me with many cordial
expressions of friendship for Great Britain and thanks
for the steadying influence thich the presence ct
H.M.S. PENZANCE had on the community. He gave the most
emphatic assurance of his ability to protect the lives and
property of British subjects so long as he was in occupation.
He assured me that all was quiet and peaceful in the town
and this was evidenced by my own personal observation and
supported by the knowledge of affairs of the British Agent.
I informed the Amir that I was entirely satisfied with his
assurance and guarantee of protection, and as evidence of
this further informed him that the signal party from H.M.S.
PENZANCE had already returned to their ship and that no
party would be landed from H.M.S. ENTERPRISE. I also
informed him that H.M.S. PE JZANCE would sail at 1830 that
evening.
The Amir expressed annoyance at the presence in
the town of 36 men from the Italian ship; he stated that their
presence was having a disturbing effect on the community and
that he would be glad if I could persuade the Italian S.N.O.
to withdraw them . I assured him that the British
Government in their strict maintenance of neutrality was
using its best endeavours to persuade the Italian Government
to withdraw their landing party as H.M.S. PENZANCE had db ne.
Before concluding the interview I invited the Amir
to visit H.M.S. ENTERPRISE, but with expressions of regret
he had to decline owing to pressure of work at the present
time.
16. I then called on the Italian S.N.O. who had
transferred to the sloop "AZIO* while his own ship the
"AMMIRAGLIO MAGNAGHI" sailed for the coast of Eritrea to
pick upnhis surveying parties which had been left there.
I called on the Italian S.N.O. first, as it was
important that I should see him at once, and, H.M.S.ENTERPRISE
being 2 miles further out, much time would be saved,
particularly as the weather was uncomfortable for boat work.
I 7 * I informed the Italian S.N.O. of my visit to the
Amir Peisal and that, having received f om him the most
emphatic assurance of there being no danger whatever to our
respective