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'File 61/11 X (D 170) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎22r] (56/554)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (270 folios). It was created in 20 Jan 1942-26 Jun 1945. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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7
A week-end at the palace of the Wahhabi monarch, in spite of the restrictions
in the way of smoking and drinking, is full of unusual charm, and my assistant,
Mr. Uniacke, whose first visit it was, was quite astounded at its Arabian Nights
atmosphere and the difference in manners from the more northerly Arab countries.
I have, &c.
GEEALD de GAURY.
Enclosure 5.
Colonel de Gaury to Mr. Stonehewer-Bird.
Sir, Jedda, 'November 20, 1941.
IBN SAUD has in the past stated that, if His Majesty's Government
wished it, he would declare war on Germany and Italy, but Saudi Arabia has
been so far of little military interest, while, on the other hand, we have had the
immensely valuable spiritual and political support of Ibn Saud, as the Protector
of Mecca and an independent Arab ruler.
2. If, however, it is thought possible that the German armies could advance
further southwards next year, and as Ibn Sand's regime is about to crash
financially, unless supported by His Majesty's Government, a matter which His
Majesty's Legation has been taking up with His Majesty's Government, our
military interests in Saudi Arabia may well be reviewed.
These appear to be the use of—
{a) Palestine-Koweit tracks,
(&) Landing grounds in North Arabia,
(c) C.A.S.O.C. oil and refinery,
(d) The great sand belts which could give invaluable respite and act as a
vast mole,
and the advantage of—
(e) Room to manoeuvre east of Akaha and Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan ,
(/) Removal of Italian Legation from Saudi Arabia,
(^) Freedom from internment of our own men forced into or down in
Saudi Arabian territory,
(A) Control of the movements of foreigners.
3. The disadvantages seem to be that, on the other hand, if Ibn Saud
declared war on the Axis, we lose the advantage of Ibn Sand's " disinterested "
advice to Arab politicians, although, if the Germans come any nearer, that would,
in any case, lose its weight. Moreover, we should undoubtedly be asked to furnish
anti-aircraft guns for the defence of the Saudi oilfields. (The Germans would be
unlikely to bomb Mecca or Medina, for political reasons, and Riyadh is difficult
for them to find.)
4. Incidentally, if the Indian army were charged with the Saudi area, they
will wish to send political officers into it, but I can visualise serious political
complications unless it were contingent that the political officers were found by
and be responsible to the head of our diplomatic mission, as in Iraq.
5. It is clear that, if the Germans do come much nearer to Arabia, Ibn Saud
will be unable, at that late stage, to declare war, and I therefore am inclined
to the view that, if the military authorities will suddenly wish him to declare
war later, it would be best for the matter to be taken up now and for the declara
tion not to be delayed.
I have, &c.
G. de GAURY.

About this item

Content

The volume consists of telegrams, letters, and reports relating to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Most of the correspondence is between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Political 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. in Bushire, the Political Agencies in Bahrain and Kuwait, 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. and the Foreign Office in London, and the Government of India.

Much of the volume covers Saudi-US relations, including:

Other subjects covered are:

Also notable within the volume are:

At the end of the volume (ff 249-264) are internal office notes.

Extent and format
1 volume (270 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged chronologically. There is an alphabetical subject index to the contents, at the front of the volume (folio 2).

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbering is written in pencil, circled and located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. There are the following irregularities: 1A, 1B, and 1C; 28A and 28B; 154A, 154B, and 154C; 216A and 216B.

Condition: the broken spine cover is detached from the volume and enclosed in a plastic sleeve numbered folio 265, at the back of the volume. The plastic sleeve may cause some loss of sharpness to the digital image of the spine cover.

There is a second sequence that is inconsistent. It is also written in pencil but is not circled.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 61/11 X (D 170) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎22r] (56/554), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/573, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023505691.0x000037> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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