'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎83r] (165/434)

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are not to suffer. Indeed, it appears that Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has been at pains to assure
local merchants and shippers that his objects are not to deprive them of the bene
fits they now enjoy from the pilgrimage, but to ensure greater comfort for Egyptian
pilgrims, and increase their numbers, which this, year he estimates at about 8,000.
Pilgrims of the wealthier sort are to be accommodated in the new premises, in both
Jedda and Mecca, now partly occupied by the offices of Banque Misr.
4 . It is stated with some confidence by Mr. Philby that the Saudi Govern
ment have obtained from Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. a loan, probably small and probably in the
nature of an advance on account of pilgrims’ dues, which will be paid by Egyptian
pilgrims coming on Haj.
5 Two small steamers, the Mariut and Manzaleh, flying the Egyptian flag,
have called at Jedda during the past few days from Suez and have proceeded to
Port Sudan. They have carried small quantities of cargo, and are stated by Messrs.
Haji Abdullah Ali Reza and Co., who have been appointed agents by Talaat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
to be testing the possibilities of a more regular service.
6 . The transport of pilgrims by air was not pursued, in view of the quarantine
and other difficulties in the way. The Saudi authorities were not very ready to
discuss the question of air development with members of the mission, as I nave
already reported in my despatch No. 351 of the 30th November The question of a
concession for the construction of a railway between Mecca and Jedda is said to
have been touched on, but quite tentatively and without further more serious
consideration. .
7 . I am sending copies of this despatch to the Principal Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs, Department of Overseas Trade and to the Acting High Commis
sioner at Cairo.
(I)
(Received cm 2nd February 1935 with Political Secretary* letter No. 3, dated the 17th
January 1935.)
Letter from the Colonial Office, to the Resident, Aden, dated the 9th
January 1935.
T have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter dated the 24th Decem
ber 1934 from the Joint Foreign Committee of the Board of Deputies of Brit is
Jews and the Anglo-Jewish Association (which the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. have passed to this
Department for attention) inquiring whether any information can be obtame
re^ardincr certain restrictions alleged to have been imposed by the R in g 0
Yeman on his Jewish subjects. 1 have replied to the Committee in the terms of
the enclosed letter dated the 9th January 1935, and should be obliged if you will
furnish me with any available information on this matter.
2. In this connection I may mention that reports have appeared recently in the
Daily News Bulletin of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. to the effect that restrictions
have been placed on the entry of Jews from the Yemen into Aden. I appreciate
that such restrictions may well be necessary in order to prevent an influx of refugees.
1 shall, however, be obliged if you will keep me informed as to the position in tins
respect.
Enclosure 1 to Serial No. (7).
Letter from the
British Jews
ber 1934.
Joint Foreign Committee of the Board of Deputies of
and the Anglo-Jewish Association, dated the 24th Decem-
1 have the honour, at the direction of my Committee, to request your assistance
in the following mat er.
The Committee has received a report that the Imam of Yemen has issued an
order imposing severe restrictions on his Jewish subjects who wish to leave for
Aden or other places abroad ; and further that the desire of such Jews to emigrate
is due to their alleged persecution in the Yemen.
MS89FD