'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎92v] (184/434)

other but were polite to occidentals. If they respected themselves, co-operated
and followed the right path they would succeed.
5. -E^-King Amanullah delivered a speech which was also reported in the
L r mm-al-(*>ura but in a very anodyne form. The published version contains no
mention of his two principal points in trying to make which he dropped two
bricks. He urged the desirability of general Moslem conferences at pilgrimage
time and boggled when his remarks were coldly received. You will remember
that I bn Saud convened such a conference in 1926 and has never repeated the
embarrassing experiment. Amanullah Khan’s other point was that traffic in
slaves was all wrong and should be abolished in Saudi Arabia. The moment was
clearly ill-chosen for the expression of this sentiment, so admirable in itself, and
means were found to silence the orator.
6 . There were J understand numerous other speeches including one by a
speaker whom I have not identified, who applauded the present regime in
Afghanistan. The only orators named in the official report, besides the King
and Amanullah Khan were Muhammad A1 Ghuneymi A1 Taftazani and a certain
Muhammad Sadiq al Mujahid. The latter I take to be the adversary of Ibn
Saud on whom His Majesty’s Government have long had their eye but who
recently returned to this country under the terms of the recent so-called amnesty.
Al Taftazani belongs to a family of some religious consequence in Egvpt, who
claim descent from the Prophet. His importance lies in the fact that in the
past he has been a violent critic of Ibn Saud, especially, if I remember rightly,
but I have not verified this, at the time of the Idrisi revolt in Asir in 1932. He
is understood to have praised the King highly in his speech at the dinner. The
sincerity of these conversions may be doubted, but the lip-service of such
former enemies shows how greatly the events of last year have enhanced Ibn
Sand’s credit in outer Moslem and Arab circles.
7. I am sending copies of this despatch to the Government of India, Aden
and Cairo.
I have the honour to be with the highest respect.
(28)
MEMORANDUM.
The papers specified below were transmitted to His Majesty’s Minister,
Kabul, for information, under cover of the Foreign Secretary’s letter No. 18-K.'
dated the 4th May 1935 :—
King Ibn Sand's annual banquet and speech just before the pilgrimage.
Memorandum from H. M.’s Minister, Jedda, No. 42 <764j61|2), dated the
27th March 1935, and enclosure [Serial No. (27)].
(29)
Endoksemext by the Fokeigx and Political Department, No. F. 1-N.|35, dated
the 1st May 1935.
A copy of the undermentioned papers is forwarded to the Government of the
N.-W. F. P., for information :—
Memorandum from IL M.’s Minister, Jedda, No. 42 (764161 (2), dated the
27th March 1935, and enclosure [Serial No. (27)].
(30)
(Received on 6th April 1935, with Political Secretary's letter No. 12, dated 21st
March 1935.)
Letter from H. E. the High Commissioner for 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 the Colonial
Office, No. T.C.|64|32, dated the 13th February 1935.
I have the honour to transmit to you, for your information, the papers noted
below on the subject of Hamid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. al Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
Secret despatch to His Majesty’s Minister, Jeddah, dated the I4th Feb
ruary 1935.