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'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎113r] (246/522)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (259 folios). It was created in 2 Feb 1931-30 Aug 1934. It was written in English and Arabic. 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. .

Transcription

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u
J
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
EASTERN" (A rabia).
CONFIDENTIAL.
/\
May 9, 1934.
S ection 1.
[E 2923/79/25]
No. 1.
Sir John Simon to M. Grandi.
Your Excellency, Foreign Office, May 9, 1934.
ON the 7th May a member of your staff called at the Foreign Office and
made a communication from the Italian Government regarding the conflict
which has unfortunately broken out between King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia
and the Imam Yahia of the Yemen. This communication began by stating that
the Italian Government learnt that the Imam had invited the mediation of
friendly States by a telegram dated the 2nd May, addressed to Rome, London,
Moscow, Bagdad and The Hague. The Italian Government were anxious to
know whether His Majesty's Government contemplated any approach to the two
belligerents as a result of this telegram, and, if so, the Italian Government,
fearing lest the situation should further deteriorate, wished to make it clear
that they would be disposed to take similar action, with a view to furthering a
peaceful settlement, in agreement with the British Government. In making
this communication the Italian Government were inspired by the spirit of the
conclusions of the Rome Conversations of 1927.
2. I now have the honour to inform your Excellency in reply to this
communication that His Majesty's Government fully share the desire of the
Italian Government to do all in their power to help bring about a peaceful
settlement of the present dispute. They have, indeed, ever since the dispute
first showed signs of becoming acute, lost no opportunity to urge counsels of
moderation on King Ibn Saud, and they think that King Ibn Sand was
influenced by this advice in making the repeated efforts which he undoubtedly
did to reach a peaceful settlement with the Imam and in postponing an actual
outbreak of hostilities for so long. As the Italian Government are aware.
His Majesty's Government also took the opportunity of the recent visit to Sanaa
by the Resident at Aden to urge similar counsels of moderation on the Imam.
3. Unfortunately, however, these counsels of moderation did not suffice to
avert a rupture; and His Majesty's Government cannot but feel that, in view
of this experience and of the present situation consequent upon the actual
outbreak of hostilities, the conditions which might make any effort at mediation
useful do not at present exist. In these circumstances, while they will
continue to watch for any favourable opportunity to do whatever may lie in
their power to further the cause of the re-establishment of peace, they feel that
nothing would be gained by any attempt at mediation at the present stage.
I have, &c.
JOHN SIMON.
[106 i—1]

About this item

Content

The volume contains two original files bound together. The first file (folios 1A-207) has the original reference 61/11 VI (D 102) and covers the period 7 November 1933 to 30 August 1934 and relates to Hejaz-Najd affairs. The second file (folios 208-243) has the original reference 61/6 VII (D 95) and covers the period 2 February 1931 to 5 August 1932 and relates to Najd affairs. Both contain letters, telegrams, memoranda, and reports sent between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Foreign Office in London, the Political Residencies in Bushire and Aden, the Political Agencies in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Muscat, the High Commissioner in Trans-Jordan, the High Commissioner in Baghdad (later the British Embassy following Iraqi independence in 1932), the Colonial Office in London, the Government of India, and Ibn Sa'ud.

The main subject of the first file is the territorial dispute between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Contained in the volume are papers concerning Saudi Arabian advances into the territories of 'Asir and Yemen and the subsequent Treaty of Taif that largely settled the dispute. There is also coverage of diplomatic conversations between Italy and Britain regarding the dispute, including secret talks in Rome. Included is the full Arabic text of the Treaty (folios 143-150A) and an English translation (folios 156-177).

Other subjects covered in the first file are:

Notable documents contained in the volume are a report on the heads of foreign missions in Jeddah, and a revised (June 1934) report on the leading personalities in Saudi Arabia.

The subjects covered by the second file are:

  • details and significance of a resurgence in war dancing by the Saudis;
  • the visit of Charles Crane to see Ibn Sa'ud;
  • a request for military assistance made by Saudi Arabia to Turkey;
  • the conditions of entry into Hasa for Hindu merchants.

At the end of each file are several pages of internal office notes.

Extent and format
1 volume (259 folios)
Arrangement

Each of the two separate files which make up the volume is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbers are 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 anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D; 11A and 11B; 24A; 30A; 132A; 143A; 150A; and 236A. There are two other sequences, both uncircled and incomplete.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎113r] (246/522), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/569, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023576505.0x00002f> [accessed 6 May 2024]

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