'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎51r] (101/434)

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As for Mr. \dlibi, I told him that his scheme sounded interesting, but I
refrained from asking him too many questions. It is, I think, a delinite part
of his method to represent his projects as being much more advanced at any
given moment than they actually are. I cannot believe that the Saudi Govern
ment would in present circumstances jump at any scheme, which did not promise
immediate ready money. In this connexion, it is worth noting that on March
11, Mr. Philby spoke of ’Awayni as having come back a week before without
any concrete financial offer. At the time I took this to refer to the oil schemes
but it may be that it really arose out of the nature of the Bank scheme. Al
though the Ydlibi— 'Awayni combine have hitherto been little heard of in con
nexion with definite proposals for a Bank, they have doubtless been considering
the matter for some time. It will be remembered that a j^ear ago “ Awayni
went to Riyadh, to try and dissuade the King at the last moment from proceed
ing with the concession to the co;-Khedive and 'Abdul Hamid Shedid.
Anything said by Mr. Philby must be considered with reference to the fact
that he is hostile to the Ydlibi—'Awavni combine.
(48)
{Received on 5th May 1934, with Political Secretary’s letter No. 16, dated the
19th April 1934.
Letter from the Admiralty, to 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. , No. M.O.-749J34 dated the
10th April 1934.
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit
for the information of the Secretary of State for India in Council extracts from
a report of proceedings of H. M. S. Penzance covering the period 1st January
to 3rd March 1934. J
Enclosure to Serial No. (48).
Extract from a report of proceedings of N. M. S. Penzance for the period 1st
January to the 3bd March 1934.
*
10 Sailed at 0615 for Hodeida, to embark the British Diplomatic Mission
who, with plenipotentiary powers, had recently concluded the negotiation of a
Treaty with His Majesty the King of the Yemen. rngouauon ot a
* * * * * . . .
Ilodeida.
13 ', T !! e countr y was saluted on anchoring ; the return salute extended inter-
mittently tor a quarter of an hour.
The British Mission, who had left San ’A on 12th and arrived at Hodeida on
the evening ot the 13th, embarked without difficulty in the motor-boat, and the
dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. r with the baggage was cleared by 1130.
* * * • • . . .
15. A present to the Ship of bullocks, sheep, poultry, coffee, fruit and vege
tables was sent off by the Yemeni Government. Space in the cold storage did
not, however, allow of the retention of the bullocks, which in bovine ignorance
of the narrowness ot their escape, were therefore returned to the shore, accom
panied by a suitable letter of explanation and thanks, composed by the Mission
Interpreter, t he sheep less bulky, and hence less fortunate, were slaughtered
m the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. by a Somali Stoker.
16. The work and achievements of the Mission have formed the subject of
a separate Report j ^
In one matter only do they appear to have met with refusal, when a
tentative proposal tor the establishment of a Landing Ground—though not on
the San A phiteau was put forward. This proposal was strongly discouraged
h} Qadhi Mahummad Bey (Minister for Foreign Affairs), who explained the
Imam s great aversion to this form of “ exploitation ”, adding that he had
previously refused similar requests from the Italian authorities for Air faci-
lities at Medi and Saliff (on the mainland, opposite to Kamaran Island)