'File 61/11 VI (D 102) Hejaz-Nejd Miscellaneous' [‎183v] (393/522)

Entered into treaty relations with His Majesty's Government through the Govern- iP$
ment of India in 1915. Took Hail in 1921 and finally destroyed power of Beni and,
Rashid. Next fought King Huseyn, an old enemy. Took Mecca in 1924 and A
completed conquest of Hejaz by compelling abdication at end of 1925 of Huseyn's
son and successor Ali. Acquired suzerainty over 'Asir in 1926. Converted
position into one of practical sovereignty in 1930 and recently reduced 'Asir to
status of ordinary province, following on repression of a rebellion there. Has
thus become ruler of territory, seaboards of which extend from just south of
'Aqaba to just north of Medi in Yemen and from Kuwait neutral zone to north "It
of Qatar Peninsula.
Ibn Sa'ud has measured his titles by his acquisitions. He became in 1902
Amir of Nejd and Imam of the Wahhabis; in 1921 Sultan of Nejd and its ,,u
Dependencies; in January 1926 King of the Hejaz; in 1927 King of the Hejaz
and of Nejd and its Dependencies; and finally in September 1932 King of the
Kingdom of Sa'udi Arabia, defined as a single and united State, comprising his
existing dominions, though without express mention of 'Asir. : 1
The hero of this spectacular aggrandisement is a man of fine presence, some
6 foot 3 inches in height and handsome except for a blotch across the left eye
due to neglected leucoma. He combines a strong character with courage, much
native shrewdness and a charm which, though now a little stereotyped, is still
attractive. He is feared rather than loved by his subjects on all of whom except^
those of the Shi'a persuasion he imposes at least the forms of Wahhabism. Hij • -
own Wahhabism is sincere, but tempered by a readiness to compromise when his--*
temporal position requires innovations contrary to the prejudice of extremists'^
or sometimes even to the original principles of his sect. On his own ground he |1M0
is an efficient ruler and a hard one, a Napoleon of the desert, but too much of
the desert to cope quite successfully with the problems with which his conquest
of the Hejaz and his attainment of an international position have confronted him
In diplomacy he is normally fairly honest, but difficult. He is as well disposed MM-
towards foreigners as is compatible with his fundamental belief that Islam is all ito
in all. His relations with Great Britain have been mainly friendly, but he is a
friend who expects much for love. He has tried a strong constitution very
by living hard and by innumerable marriages. It was reckoned some years
ago that he had already had over 200 wives, though never more than the
permitted four at a time. He is thought to find the natural decline in his powers
in this direction disconcerting, but seems otherwise a hale man, except for
digestive troubles and the effects of nervous strain.
Was made a G.C.I.E. in 1920, but does not now greatly prize an honour which
he considers too reminiscent of a past connexion with the Government of India
only and in some sense vassalish. . ^
The King's eldest son Turki died in 1919, leaving issue. The following is a list
of the King's immediate relatives,many of whomalsohave issue. Philby's^raftmis ilnki
probably the best authority on the Sa'ud family as a whole, but does not claim h k
to be absolutely accurate. pin 19:
t
Sons. All Amirs. ^
(2) Sa'ud ibn 'Abdul-'Aziz. —Born of a lady of Sa'udi stock. Probably not it| v | (
more than 32, if as much. Has for some years been Viceroy of Nejd and seldom |
leaves it, though he went to consult an oculist in Egypt shortly after the " MahmaUi
incident" of 1926. Was last in the Hejaz in 1930. Said to have had
some schooling from Dr. 'Abdullah Damluji and Sheykh Hafiz Wahba, but to
be in the main untutored. Resembles his father in physique and appearance. ;
Also suffers from eye trouble, but has inherited Ibn Sa'ud's " magnetic smile." w
May in other respects be a chip of the old block, but has had little opportunity^'
of displaying his quality to Europeans. Is strongly Islamic and may be moresm^
fanatical than his father. >' W
Sa'ud is sometimes inaccurately described as Heir Apparent. A report in^
February 1928 that he had been declared to be Ibn Sa'ud's destined successor was
not confirmed. When the Kingdom was unified in 1932 it was announced thaUj^
a rule of succession would be established. It is reported that Ibn Sa'ud has since
designated Sa'ud as his successor and has obtained the assent of the family, o:
perhaps also of a wider circle; but no public announcement has been made.
P.S.—Sa'ud's designation as Heir to the Throne was formally announced ^
on the 11th May, 1933.