مجموعة ٢١/٦(١) "الحجاز-نجد: العلاقات مع الحكومة البريطانية: مفوضية الحجاز في لندن والوزير البريطاني في جدة". [و‎‎٣‎١‎١] (٩١٤/٦٣٢)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF JUS-BRIITANK 1C MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT.
^ ■f" L MI..1.NI ■■■! 1^
EASTERN (Arabia).
CONETDENTIA L.
^ [E 524/524/251
No. 1.
^4. Ryan to Mt. A. RendeTson,.-—(Tf a rain or] \
a programme generally similar to that of last year and with equal pomp. On
tim occasion there was no delegation of the Egyptian press, but there was a
sufficiency of journalists to provide for publicity'and innumerable photographs
were taken by all sorts of people. The most active press representative present
was one Malm Bey, an Arab of Mosul origin, who seems to have his headquarters
at Ihe Mague at present and whose main line appears to be the supply of
European news to the papers of the Arab countries.
2. I had received your permission to attend the banquet, which I understood
would be given by the Emir Feisal in Jedda on the evening of the 8th January, if
1 considered it politically desirable to be present, notwithstanding the mourning
ordered by His Majesty the King for the Princess Royal. I learnt later that
there were to be four principal functions to which foreign representatives were
invited. As the head of the only mission of first-class political importance here, I
felt that any abstention on my part would be seriously misinterpreted in Jedda
and Mecca, especially as I had had no previous opportunity of meeting the Emir
Feisal, who now combines the functions of Minister for Foreign Affairs with those
of Viceroy of the Hejaz. I therefore accepted the various invitations. One of
the social functions projected, a tea-party at Kandara on the afternoon of the 8th,
was in the event countermanded. Although no express reason was given, I was
told privately by Fuad Bey Hamza that this change in the programme was
intended as a mark of respect to the memory of the Princess Royal. I felt it all
the more incumbent on me to attend the other functions. In my private letter
thanking Fuad Bey and expressing satisfaction, I added that the gesture of the
local authorities would be greatly appreciated in England, and explained that I
was interrupting a period of mourning for an event deeply felt at home in order
to be present at the various celebrations.
3. On the morning of the 8th January, my colleagues and I called on the
Acting Governor of Jedda. Early in the afternoon the Emir Feisal gave me a
special interview, which had been arranged by Fuad Bey. His Royal Highness
was very civil and very nervous. I cannot say that my first impression of him
was favourable. He has the fine features of his family and he does not show in
his face the signs of dissipation which I expected. He lacks, however, both the
charm and the physique of his father and his elder brother, the Emir Sand. In
repose he wears a look of jaded melancholy and listlessness, and his smiles, though
agreeable, are sickly. In my own slight intercourse with him on the 8th and 9th
January, he gave little evidence of keenness or intelligence, though I noticed that
with his own entourage he seemed confident and quick in decision. Ihe inter
preter whom he employed at my private interview .was incapable. I had nor
intended to talk much business on such an occasion and, owing to the difficulty of
getting anything of importance translated, I limited myself still further. I
enquired as to whether my letters to Fuad Hamza and the King in connexion with
the proposed visit of Colonel Biscoe had been forwarded to Riadh and when they
might be expected to arrive. The Prince said that he had forwarded the letters,
but his reply to my second question was hopelessly vague. My only other attempt
at business was to appeal to the Prince on behalf of two prisoners, oae a British
Indian, who has been detained too long on a doubtful charge, the other, a
Hadrami, who may be guilty of a serious offence, but who appeal s to have been
barbarously treated. I envoked the custom of using clemency on royal
anniversaries and the Prince promised to look into the two cases.
4. The review held by the Emir Feisal at Kandara on the afternoon of the
8th Januarv presented features of interest. King Ibn Saud not long ago
appointed a certain Nabi Bey el-Adhma to be Director of Military Organisation.
[34 b—2]