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'File 8/7 I Jidda Intelligence Reports' [‎60v] (120/536)

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The record is made up of 1 file (266 folios). It was created in Jul 1931-Dec 1934. 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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8
from getting assistance from that country both by prohibition and by reinforcing
the frontier police. Steps were taken to prevent the Beni Atiya from joining the
rebellion, and guarantees were taken from the sheikhs of other tribes in Southern
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 . The considered attitude of His Majesty’s Government towards the
Hejazi representations was defined in a note sent by the Legation to the Acting
Hejazi Minister for Foreign Affairs on the 11th June. His Majesty’s Govern
ment regretted that Ibn Rifada and his party had succeeded in slipping from
Sinai into the Hejaz in a very few hours before the authorities in Palestine 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 were aware of the movement. They explained that it was physically
impossible to close the frontier, and that it was for the Hejazi Government, whose
forces must not, however, enter 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 , to bar the exit of rebels. They
nevertheless would take all steps to assist the Hejazi authorities, and they
promised that fugitive rebels entering 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 would, as far as possible, be
disarmed and removed to safe places. The note described in general terms the
measures already taken in 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 . His Majesty’s Government refused to
guarantee the surrender of fugitive rebels, but promised that everything possible
would be done to prevent such persons from causing fresh trouble. The question
of a treaty settlement between Hejaz-Nejd 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 was dealt with on
the lines indicated above. The first reaction of the Hejazi Government to this
note was highly critical. In a reply of the 15th June they complained that the
action of the British authorities was inadequate and stressed the question of
responsibilities. Some days later they changed their tactics. In a series of
conversations from the 21st to 23rd June the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs
did not revert to his note. He tacitly accepted the position that His Majesty’s
Government were doing all they could, and confined himself to discussing
practical questions of co-operation between the British and Hejazi Governments,
always on the underlying assumption that the Amir Abdullah was the common
enemy. It was unnecessary to continue the discussion of the wider aspects of
the affair up to the end of June.
(c) In those circumstances it became increasingly, as the month wore on, a
matter of co-ordinating the measures of the authorities in 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 and of
the Hejazi Government. A certain amount of information, not very plentiful on
either side, was exchanged. Arrangements were made in principle for wireless
communication between Hejazi 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 posts, but it had not been
effectively established up to the 30th June. H.M.S. “Penzance” was sent to
Aqaba, and arrived there on the 14th June. H.M.S. “Hastings” also left
Port Sudan for the north of the Red Sea on the 27th June. The despatch of
Penzance ’ ’ was decided on for general reasons, but anticipated a request by
the Hejazi Government on the 18th June that measures should be taken to guard
against assistance reaching the rebels by sea, meaning, it was explained later, any
maritime movement of craft, loaded or unloaded, which might bring supplies or
facilitate any movement, whether of attack or flight.
(d) Early in June the Hejazi Government manifested extreme displeasure
against Egypt, and the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke of a rupture
with that country. This mood passed, partly perhaps because of the dissuasive
language of Sir A. Ryan. As a matter of fact, the Egyptian Government, while
denying, both privately and publicly, that Ibn Rifada’s expedition could have
been fitted out in Egypt, has shown every readiness, at the instance of His
Majesty’s Government, to apply and co-operate in measures to prevent assistance
from reaching the rebels from Egypt either by land or sea.
182. The foregoing summary ignores may details, but gives an adequate
account of the Ibn Rifada affair and its sequel. It is noteworthy that the Hejazi
Government, while preparing a formidable demonstration of force, have shown no
great celerity in mobilising it. They have probably banked on the fact that
Ibn Rifada has presented no appearance of having provoked any widespread
rebellion and has remained confined to the littoral area. It is possible that
Ibn Saud’s object in making preparations so formidable in relation to the
apparently small proportions of the menace is partly to overawe his own tribes
generally and to impress on the Amir Abdullah and others the futility of attempts
to upset his regime in the Hejaz.
183. It has been most difficult meanwhile to gauge the position of
Ibn Rifada himself. His base appears to be Haikl, a place close to the sea, some
30 miles south of Aqaba. His total force had grown by the latter part of June to

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Content

The file contains intelligence reports on the Kingdom of Hejaz, Najd and its Dependencies (after September 1932, Saudi Arabia) written by the British Legation at Jeddah.

Between July 1931 and December 1932 the reports are issued every two months, with the exception of the January-March 1932 and April 1932 reports. From January 1933 the reports are sent on a monthly basis.

Between July 1931 and December 1932, each report is divided into sections, numbered with Roman numerals from I to IX, as follows: Internal Affairs; Frontier Questions; Relations with States outside Arabia; Air Matters; Military Matters; Naval Matters; Pilgrimage; Slavery; and Miscellaneous. Each section is then further divided into parts relating to a particular matter or place, under a sub-heading. Some reports contain an annex.

From January 1933, when the reports become monthly, they take a new format. Each is divided into sections, as follows: Internal Affairs; Frontier Questions and Foreign Relations in Arabia; Relations with Powers Outside Arabia; Miscellaneous (often containing information on slavery and the pilgrimage).

Most reports are preceded by the covering letters from the Government of India, who distributed them to Political Offices in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and elsewhere, and the original covering letter from the Jeddah Legation, who would send them to the Government of India and Government departments in London. From May 1933, most reports were sent directly to 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 Bahrain from Jeddah.

Up until January 1933, each report began with an index giving a breakdown of the sections with references to the corresponding paragraph number. From January 1933 onwards no index is included.

Extent and format
1 file (266 folios)
Arrangement

The file is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are 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. An additional incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 6-11; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 8/7 I Jidda Intelligence Reports' [‎60v] (120/536), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/295, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025543724.0x000079> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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