'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎143r] (285/434)

at this somewhat unpleasant season of the year ? two water specialists of
different qualifications, one a Swedish geo-physicist (at a salary of £300
a month) and the other a British waterdiviner. The latter has now left
Mahd. This, if true (for it is as yet unconfirmed), might well dissipate
dreams of an Eldorado in that particular area.
opinion that the Saudis were deeply suspicious of the Italians is of con
siderable interest. For my own part, I am impressed by the volume and
unanimity of reports current in Jedda that the Italian Legation here is
au mieux with the Saudi authorities, as I have reported in my despatch
No. 259 of the 5th September, but I am unable to dismiss from my mind
the impression created by Sheykh Yusuf Yasin, only two months ago,
vdien he spoke to me, with a sincerity 1 found difficult to question, of his
Government’s resolve not to grant the oil concession for the Farsan Islands
to the Italians 1 The Saudi Government at that time resisted the pressure
that was brought to bear on them here by the Italian Minister, a resistance
which might well have caused them some embarrassment as they had not
long before accepted at the hands of the Italians, the gift of three
aeroplanes. Perhaps the fact that, as far as I am aware, the remaining
three aeroplanes have not yet arrived, may be attributed to Italian dis
appointment over the oil concession. I therefore am inclined to share
Mr. Twitchell’s opinion. I would certainly agree with the view that it
would be impolitic to enter into any competition with the Italians for the
favours of King Abdul Aziz, either in the supply of aeroplanes gratis or
in the training of Saudi pilots.
4. It is somewhat difficult to express an opinion on the fears of the
Syndicate that Italians might at some future stage attempt to get hold
of their landing-grounds. These, I understand, are now fairly numerous
and have been established at Jedda, Mahd-ad-Dhahab, Wejh, Yanbu,
Dhiba and Taif, by special arrangement with the Saudi Government from
whom they are leased. It does not appear that at Jedda, at least, there
is any such menace, for the Saudi authorities, with, it, is believed, Italian
advice, are now engaged in laying out a large landing ground north-east
of Jedda, in the vicinity of the Government’s Kandara villa, which, reports
say, is also to be brought into use for the pilots and other personnel. If
it is true, as reported in Jedda Report for June, paragraph 207, that the
establishment of a chain of landing-grounds across Saudi Arabia is in
contemplation (and in this connection it will be recollected that last year
Ibn Saud was reported to be considering a postal service by air across his
kingdom, upon the return of his pilots from Italy), this would not seem to
threaten the Syndicate’s landing grounds in such centres as Wejh, Yanbu
and Dhiba. Their ground at Taif, moreover, is distinct from that of the
Government at that place.
5 . The foreign personnel of the Syndicate have had an unfortunate
record of ill-health since the commencement of operations. I am reporting
, . , * i xt* nn a j-'U ~ 1 Ann t'U
3. As regard Italian influence in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Twitchell’s