مجموعة ٦ / ٨ (١) "سلسلة مطبوعة: ١٩٢٩ إلى ١٩٣٨". [و‎‎٤‎٥‎٣] (١٠٦٢/٩١٠)

86
l! H: of proceedings, dated 1st November, of H. M. S. “Dahlia” in the Red
Sea
2. Similar letters have been sent to the Foreign Office and Colonial
Office.
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3._ Jeddar. On arrival, I was met by the Vice-Consul Mr. Cooke, and
Hamdi Bey, the Commandant of the forces in Jeddah, who welcomed me on
behalf of the Hedjaz Government.
An official call was then paid upon Mr. W. L. Bond, the British Agent
and Consul, which was returned the following clay, when the Agent was
accorded a salute of 11 guns.
(ii) His Excellency Sheik Fuad Hamsa, Acting Minister for Foreign
Affairs, was staying in the town, and invited the Commanding Officer and
three other officers to a picnic dinner party on one of the quarantine islands
in the harbour.
The party was specially organised in our honour, and was attended by
the whole of the Consular authorities in Jeddah, and all the local notabilities,
a total of 51 sitting down to the meal, which was served in semi-Arab style.
A new Italian Consul has just arrived at Jeddah, vho is said to be of con
siderable importance, and a great friend of Mussolini. It was noticeable that
both he and the Soviet Consul, an individual of a very low Mongol type of
countenance, were treated with considerable deference by the Hedjazi.
The Foreign Minister appeared to be very friendly to us, and went out
of his way to say what pleasure it gave him to see one of the sloops anchored
in the Roads. He speaks English and French most fluently, having been
educated at an American college in Syria, of which country he is a native.
In conversation with Mr. Bond, I gathered that the difficulties surround
ing the visits of the sloops to the Hedjaz coast have now disappeared, and
he thinks that there will be no objection to more frequent visits being paid
to Jeddah, as well as visits to Wej and Yembo, although previous notice
of such visits would obviously be desirable. This seems very satisfactory,
as for some time past, a great deal of the Arabian coast has been more or
less closed to H. M. ships.
(m) An official call was paid on the Kaim-makam, His Excellency
Abdulla Ali Risa, on the 16th, accompanied by the British Agent. The
Governor is a dear old man, very well inclined towards the British, who
seems to live a great deal in the past, and to lament the passing of the good
old days. In days gone by, he said, men worked but three months in the
year, (during the Hajj), and made holiday the rest, and yet everybody had
plenty of money. Now, he thought things were very different. Everybody
has to work 24 hours every day, all the year round, and yet, nobody has
any money, owing to the high rate of existing taxation.
Owing to my sailing early on the 17th, it was impossible for His
Excellency to return my call.
** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية *
After leaving the Governor, I returned the call of the Commandant,
Hamdi Bev? who is of somewhat crafty appearance, and unpleasant deme
anour. I was not at all impressed by the physique or the accoutrement of
the guard which was turned out to receive me. The Commandant of the
local Irregulars was also present at this interview.
* *
In the evening the Commanding Officer and two officers dined with the
British Agent, who spared no pains to make our visit in every way success
ful and enjoyable.
The ship sailed for Kamaran and Aden on the 17th, as soon as the sun
was high enough to make navigation through the reefs as easy as possible.