'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎56r] (111/434)

(56)
{Received on 2nd June 1934, with Political Secretary's letter No. 20, dated the
17th May 1934.)
Enclosure in Colonial Office covering letter, dated the 10th May 1934.
Letter from the Resident, Aden, to the Colonial Office, No. 102, dated the
18th April 1934.
I have the honour to refer to paragraph 2780 of the Aden Political Intelli
gence Summary No. 375 reporting the flight of two European aeroplanes over
San’a on the 7th March 1934.
2. As a result of the several enquiries made by me on the subject, I wrote to
the Imam on the 23rd March 1934, informing him that I had received news of a
French civilian aeroplane having left Jibuti on the 7th March and that it was
understood that it had flown over San’a and returned to Jibuti on the same day
and had since then returned to France. I added that I had informed His
Majesty’s Government and also the Consular Agent for France at Aden, and
that the latter had been told by me that he (the Imam) objected strongly to aero
planes flying over his country.
3. A reply has now been received by me from the Imam acknowledging
receipt of my letter and thanking me for furnishing him with this information.
He states that he has telegraphed to the French Foreign Ministry protesting
against the flight and asking the French Government to take steps to prevent a
repetition of such flights, which constitute a breach of international law.
Enclosure to Serial No. (56).
Extract from Aden Intelligence Summary No. 375 for the week ending 20th
March, 1934.
# * * * * # *
2780. A letter from the Imam was recently received by the Resident reporting
the flight over Sana’a on 7th March of two European aeroplanes. The Imam
thought that they were British, and was evidently much perturbed and he invoked
the principles of International Law. The Resident replied immediately assuring
the Imam that the machines had not gone from Aden dr the Aden Protectorate,
and promising to make enquiries. A reply has been received from the Imam
thanking the Resident and accepting his assurance. It appears that a French
civilian aeroplane flew from Jibuti over San’a on the date mentioned.
# * # * # * *
(57)
{Received on 2nd June, 1934, with Politicial Secretary's letter No. 20, dated the
17th May, 1934.
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter, dated the 11th May, 1934.
Letter from the Foreign Office to the His Majesty’s Minister, Jedda,
No. E.-2765|72||231, dated the 10th May, 1934.
We passed to the Treasury for observations your confidential despatch
No. 76(737jl24jl8) of the 20th March, about Ydlibi’s Bank scheme. The reply
that they have up to the present no information about this scheme nor any indica
tion that it is to be supported by a British Bank. They point out that it is more
than doubtful whether we should be able or willing to do anything to encourage
the formation of a note-issuing Bank in Saudi, Arabia, even if it were to be
handled by people whose integrity was entirely above suspicion. The conditions
which would permit of a Central Bank being set up seem to be a very long way
indeed from being fulfilled in Saudi Arabia, and if the project is ever realized it
will, in the opinion of the Treasury, have to be by stages.
2. They find some difficulty in giving a detailed written opinion on a case
such as that of Ydlibi’s scheme, but they add that they would be very glad to have
the opportunity to talk it over with you when next you are in England.
2. On a subsidiary point I may add that we too are mystified by Ydlibi’s
reference to arrangements in Iraq. Apparently at one time during last year the
Iraqi Government had a vague idea of creating a State Bank but we have heard
no more about it.
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