'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎37r] (73/434)

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3
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(Received on 8th March 1934, ivith Political Secretary’s letter No. 7, dated 15th
February 1934.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letteE dated 15th February 1934.
Memorandum No. 77 (177|3|34), dated the 26th January 1934.
nr ■ T { le , A ® ti ! 1 S High Commissioner for Egypt presents his compliments to His
Majesty s i nncipal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour
to transmit herewith copies of the under-mentioned paper.
To His Majesty’s Minister at Jedda, despatch No. 4 of 25th January
1934, regarding supply of arms and ammunition to Heiaz Govern
ment by Polish Group.
Enclosure to Serial No. (18).
Letter from the High Commissioner for Egypt, to His Majesty’s Minister
Jedda, No. 4 (l77|3j34), dated the 25th January 1934.
1 humour, with reference to Sir Miles Lampson’s despatch No. 3
Llth instant, and to paragraph 16 of Sir John Simon’s despatch No 196
C onfidential’ to you of July 27th last, to inform you that the First Secretary of
the iohsh Legation called on the Oriental Secretary yesterday and confidentially
in termed him that, according to a communication which he had received from
Monsieur Wilniewczyc, it had been found impossible to obtain payment from the
Hejaz Government of the £30,000 due to the Polish group in respect of arms and
ammunition supplied in 1930. However, the Hejaz Government had made a
proposal by which a part or total payment of the £30,000 would be made pro
vided the Polish group in question would supply the Hejaz Government with
luither arms and ammunition, smaller in quantity than the previous order.
2. Monsieur Ben is enquired whether we would have any objection to the
conclusion of an agreement on the above lines. He was reminded that the Resi
dency was not responsible for Hejaz affairs which were within your competence.
He said that he understood that this was the case, but that,'as there was no
. * °hsh repiosentative at Jedda and as he had to make some sort of report to his
Government, he was anxious to ascertain, if possible, our views beforehand.
Phe Oriental Secretary thanked him for his courtesy and, while reaffirming that
* Hejaz matters were not within the competence of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , expressed the
private opinion that the proposed transaction was a business one on which we
were not called to express an opinion.
3. To-day Monsieur Benis rang up the Oriental Secretary and informed
that Monsieur Wilniewczyc had just arrived from Jedda and was verv pessimist
ic at the possibility of getting anything at all out of the Hejrz Government.
He was, however, submitting to his principals the proposals made by the Hejaz
Government on the lines indicated in paragraph 1 above. He seemed to think,
however, that there was not much chance of the deal being concluded.
(19)
{Received on 3rd March 1934, ici+h Political Secretary’s letter No. 7, dated 15th
February 1934.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering le^er No. E.-847]72125, dated 8th February
1934.
Telegram from the Foreign Office, to His Majesty’s Minister, Jedda, No. 15,
dated the 7th February 1934.
Your telegram No. 18 (of the 3rd February : Hejaz Development Corpora
tion.)
\ on may inform Saudi Government in confidence and preferably orally that
corporation of name mentioned is apparently projected, but not vet registered.
From information available it seems very doubtful whether it is likely to prove
a really substantial concern.
2. Fnformation is not yet available regarding the alleged support of West-
Minister Bank.