Coll 6/8(1) 'Printed Series: 1929 to 1938.' [‎477r] (958/1062)

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67
ea^rbv^hffatltTf?/n inE Ti in Ri y^ dh ' The task wil1 ^ made no
WtW W,h into A * pr0ve !n t0 i s true that the tribes around Turaba and
‘ u1 0 . mto Asir » e -S r -» tile Beni Shahran, have become disaffected.
I 2 . In vrew of the state of affairs as described above, it is not to be
^whh the north i^diffi 6 *° Ca ^ ^ e i az ^ Communication
<%with the north is difficult and takes considerable time. Rumours of defeats
are exagger ted and good news, meagre as it is, is received with a scepticism
born of many disappointments. The black side of things therefore looms
large before his anxious eyes and he derives little comfort from a situation
which, tor all its brighter aspects, is wrapped in uncertainty. To add to hig
gloom tne cost ot all such commodities as are normally purchased from the
interior, e.g., mutton and butter, has risen considerably and is still rising.
The cost ot mutton for instance is doubled.
t ^ i n ^-i Ca t e( i though in my telegram No. 130 of September 10th
< V S. No. 29), the conditions of the country although far from satisfactory is to
a large extent the natural consequence of the period of suspense through which
it is passing in anticipation of a definite solution by battle of the question of
supremacy. It should not be forgotten either that, although latterly there has
been peace and security in the Hejaz, disturbances, raiding and counter-raiding
on a larger or lesser scale is a normal state of affairs in Arabia.
14. The political situation is still further complicated by the present
financial crisis. The Government is having the greatest difficulty in raising
money to satisfy the King’s requirements and to meet other calls. An attempt
to raise a loan among local Jeddah merchants has had no success. Customs
dues, as reported in my telegram No. 199 of August 15th last, have been
collected in advance on orders placed, although the goods are not due to
arrive for months ahead. Large increases have been made in the Customs
tariff on tobacco and certain other commodities {vide my despatch No. 0. T.
9 of August 9th). Cash which merchants at Yanho, Wejh, etc., wish to remit
to Jeddah is often commandeered by Government representatives and drafts,
on the Customs are given in exchange. These drafts, which now constitute the
usual method of payment are rapidly losing value, although it is still possible
to negotiate them with the more influential merchants at a five per cenG
discount ; it is impossible except in rare cases and by bribery to realise them on
presentation. An appreciable proportion of Government funds is diverted into
improper channels and finds its way into the pockets of the higher Government
officials and of the Emir Eeisal itself while the sums that are sent to Riyadh
are from all accounts expended by the King in true Royal fashion. A form of
taxation has been introduced among the tribes around Taif by which each tribe
is called upon to supply a fixed number of men and camels for the arms, fail
ing which a fine of eight pounds per camel and thirteen pounds for each fight
ing man short of the number is inflicted. This tax is causing widespread dis
content. Finally there is a report from Mecca to the effect that funds held on
trust on account of deceased persons’ estates are, despite the injunctions of the
Koran, being used by the Government for its own needs.
15. The fact is that the Government cannot afford the maintenance or a
large military establishment which circumstances have forced upon it ; nor
can it look for relief until the present situation is liquidated, and what nov
forms a large standing army judged by Arabian standards, is effective y
16. I am sending a copy of this despatch to His Majesty s High Com-
missioned for Egypt, Iraq and Palestine, the Governor L Gulf
the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Aden, the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the P™ Gult, the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Kovreit and the Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea Sloops.
(91)
TQ nrmrcTT AownT AND CONSUL, JeDDAH, No. 20o0/
Memorandum from the Brixish Qpptp'muer 1929
1464/41, DATED THE 29TH bEPTEMBER
to transit to him the undermentioned documents.