"ملف ١١/٢ يوميّات وتقارير: سلسلة الجزيرة العربية" [و‎‎٨] (٢٢٢/١٥)

9
Copy sent to Department of Overseas Trade under No. O.T.-ll (619jl60|5 of
3rd March 1933.)
Enclosure 1 to 'Serial No. (11).
Letter from His Majesty’s Minister, Jedda, to hte Foreign Office, i\o.
(618|160|5), dated the 3rd March 1933.
1 have the honour to transmit herewith a translation of an extract from the
Mecca “ Umm-al-Qura ” of the 24th February which bears on the possible grant
of mining and oil concessions in this country.
2. The article is chiefly of interest as making express mention of non-Moslems
as prospective concessionaires, in open contrast to the policy which appeared to
be in contemplation in 1931, when, for instance, it was definitely recommended by
the “ National Conference ” convened in June of that year that concessions should
be granted to Moslems only.
3. The policy 6f confining concessions to Moslems held the field, though
perhaps more in theory than as a genuine factor in Ibn Sa’ud’s schemes for
economic development, until recently. It has now perhaps been felt that the
arrival here on February 15 of Messrs. Twitchell and Hamilton, representing
American mining and oil interests, needed some public explanation.
4. I am sending copies of this-despatch to the Department of Overseas Trade
(Development and Intelligence) and to His Excellency the Viceroy (Foreign
Department.)
Enclosure 2 to Serial No. (11).
Extract from the Mecca “ Umm-al-Qura* ”, No. 428 of the 29th Shawwal 135 L
(24th February 1933.)
“ About the Economic Projects.”
A leading article under the above heading refers to the economic projects
which are expected to be carried out by the Government of His Majesty the
King, and to the fact that it seems, after inspection and examination, that the
country is rich in its minerals ; it has therefore become incumbent on the
Government to make use of such minerals, so as to enable them to accomplish
their economic projects and to follow the plan which they have adopted for the
amelioration of the state of the country, but in view of the fact that the wealth
of the country cannot assist the natives to carry out these projects at present
the Government have found it necessary to grant concessions to applicants, either
Moslems or non-Moslems. The Government most sincerely desire that Moslems
should not fail to undertake this business. We remember that His Majesty the
King last season expressed in his speech, which was published in the “ Umm-al-
Qura ” issue No. 383, that he would have no objection to any of the Moslem Kino- s
Princes or merchants wishing to make humane efforts in this country for the
welfare of Moslems, provided that such efforts do not affect the prestige and
honour of our countries, our independence and religion.
( 12 )
{Received on 6th May 1933, with Political Secretary's letter No. 16 dated
20th April 1933.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office Covering letter, dated 10th Auril 1933
No. E. 1739)1739125. 1 ’ ^
Letter from His Majesty’s Minister, Jedda, to the Foreign Office, No. 85 (753'
133 j 12), dated THE 16th March 1933.
. T } mye on maii y occasions during the last three years drawn attention to the
difficulty created at this post by the fact that the,Sa’udi Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has its headquarters in Mecca and that the visits paid to Jedda bv
responsible members of the Ministry have been very irregular. As you are aware
Sheykh Ali Taha, one of the assistants of the Governor of Jedda, was given early