'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎160r] (319/434)

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Majesty’s Government were very glad to receive this assurance, which con
firms the supposition which they had already formed on the subject, and they
now understand the extraordinary occurrence. I am however to point out
that the arrival of Mr. Philby in the Aden Protectorate with an armed Saudi
force might have caused an incident or on the other hand might have led
the tribes in those parts to suppose that Mr. Philby had come on a mission
from the Saudi Arab Government, either of which results would have
been harmful to the good relations which have subsisted for so long
between the two governments. In conclusion I am to inform Your Royal
Highness that His Majesty’s Government trust that suitable action will
be taken in regard to the person whose irresponsible conduct might have
led to so regrettable a consequence.
Enclosure 1 to S. No. (6).
Telegram from Sir R. Bullard, Jedda, to Foreign Office, No. 129,
dated 29th December 1936.
(Repeated to Aden.)
Reply from Minister for Foreign Affairs to my personal letter of December
8 th [S. No. (6)] about Philby (my despatch No. 319) was not quite satisfactory,
so to end the matter I am sending a rejoinder, and I have spoken plainly
to Fuad, basing the case on Shabwa. My statement concluded thus. [gp.
undec. we might be in] Najran, though, Philby as an explorer would be use
ful to Saudi Government and he was acting in a manner as their employee
(Fuad nodded assent), and in any case to steal away without their know
ledge with an escort granted for that prupose and to use it to enter Aden
protectorate was a nasty trick and we expected Saudi Government to tell
him so. I think matter can be left there.
2. Copies of correspondence and despatch follow by bag.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 129, repeated to Aden telegram
No. 12.
( 7 )
Cypher Telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to
the Resident at Aden, No. 119, dated 21st December 1936.
There is report from Cairo in today’s Times that Italians from Mogadishu
have purchased concession of the entire port of Assadi el Fay el on coast of
Hadhramaut from Beduin tribe claiming independence of States in treaty
relations with Great Britain. British officials from Aden are said to have
left by air to investigate.
Please telegraph whether there is any basis for report and if so full
information as to position. Name of alleged port cannot be traced in maps
here.
( 8 )
Letter from Sir R. Bullard, to Mr. Eden, No. 283, dated 2nd Novem
ber 1936.
Jedda, October 11, 1936.
I have the honour to report that, after the exchange of notes on the
3rd October, Sheikh Yusuf Yasin asked whether he could see me about ceitain
other questions, and it was arranged that he should call at the Legation on thu
5th October. He had already asked whether I wished to continue the dis.
cussion of the Koweit and frontier questions or would prefer to await tho
return of Fuad Bey Hamza, which was expected to occur very soon, and I
told him that the Saudi counter-draft of article 1 of the proposed Koweit
55(C) ExAffairsDept