'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎46r] (91/434)

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Finally, we hope that correspondence will be maintained between ns and
yourself, and wish you success, prosperity, and contentment.
Enclosure 2 to Serial No. (32).
Telegram from the British Embassy, Iraq, to His Majesty’s Minister, Jeooa,
No. 4-Saving, dated the 2nd March 1934. (Repeated to Foreign Office.)
Your telegram No. 24 of 1st March.
My observations are contained in letter to Sir E. Oliphant, dated bebruaiy
26th [Serial No. (32)], which is being sent you by next bag. They are to the
effect that in a recent letter received from Ibn Saud through Saudi Legation
here His Majesty mentions with satisfaction that his relations with Iraq are
progressing amicably. I doubt if he would have written in this way !iad (! he,
omtd.) had serious complaint to make against King Ghazi or Ali. 1 see no
sign that former is intriguing against Hejaz Government while the latter is
exclusively occupied at present with his ambition for the throne of Syria.
(33)
(Received on 7th April 1934, ivith Political Secretary’s letter, No. 12, dated 22ud
March 1934.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office Covering Letter, dated 20th March 1934.
Letter from His Majesty’s Minister, Jedda, to tHe Foreign Office, No. 56
(540! 124115), dated the 27th January 1934.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your very confidential
Despatch No. 54 (E. 847j72|25) of February 8 relative to the persons concerned
in the most recent scheme for creating a State Bank in this country. I had
already received your telegram No. 22 of February 22 [Serial No. (27) ].
2 . I have not so far taken any action on either of these papers, as I. prefer
not to seek a special interview with the Minister of Finance. I consider that,
if the Saudi Government are walling to be warned, what I told the Minister on
Februarv 11 should convince them of the need for the utmost caution. Ihey
have also prohablv been warned by Mr. Philby, who tells me that he has had
very unfavourable reports from London on the parties concerned m the Hejaz
Development Corporation Ltd.
3. Should I have an opportunity of speaking again to the Minister of
Finance, I will carry out the instructions in your telegram No. 22 ot February
22 but will use great caution in regard to the detailed information given >y the
Deuartment of Overseas Trade. I am somewhat disquieted, however, to learn
that the Department has doubts as to the confidence which would be inspired in
financial circles bv the persons named m the second sentence of my telegram
No 13 of Januarv 25. I fear that I myself regarded those persons as being of
miquestionaWo standing in the business world and that in my conversations with
Sheykh ’Abdullah Suleyman, I urged the importance ot making sure that the
Corporation had really got their backing rather than the importance of invest,i-
gating their titles to confidence.
4 Mr Pbilby mentioned one point of interest which I gather he had learnt
in Saudi circles ' . This was that Sheykh Hafiz Wahba had been in touch with
a Mr. Beckett, who is, I understand, the Chairman of the Westminster Bank.
5. ’Abdul Hamid Bey Shedid left Jedda on February 21. I do not know
what progress he had made with his negotiations.
(34)
(Received on ?th April 1934, with Political Secretary’s letter 12, dated 22nd
March 1934.)
Enclosure in Colonial Office, Covering Letter, dated 14th March lfi34.
Letter from the Colontai, Office, to the Fobbioh Omon awd the Are Ministry,
No. 37942134, dated the 14th March 1934.
„ S ecretary Sir John Simon
I am directed to transmit to you to be laid betore ^ he ^ Council
LclOUFD