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'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [147v] (294/434)
The record is made up of 1 file (214 folios). It was created in 31 Aug 1933-20 Mar 1939. It was written in English and French. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
67
represented as the enemies of the Arabs, who were being incited to adopt a
hostile attitude towards them in consequence. This propaganda had been
carried on by the agents of four Powers in particular, viz., Italy, the
Soviet Union, Germany and Turkey.
4. On my cross-questioning the Minister as to precisely what all this
meant, it turned out that what it all boiled down to was that Ibn Saud was
very uneasy about Italian propaganda in Arabia in general and about
Italian intentions in the Yemen in particular. Ibn Saud explained that
Italian agents were being particularly active in the Yemen, where they
were, by bribes and propaganda, undermining the influence of the Imam.
This might lead to the fall of the Imam, or in any case to the development
of an extremely dangerous situation if the Imam should for any reason dis
appear. Ibn Saud was anxious, if possible, to come to some understanding
with His Majesty’s Government about the situation.
5. I waited until the whole of this document had been explained before
replying. I then began by repeating, what I had often said before, that
His Majesty’s Government fully appreciated and reciprocated Ibn Saud’s
friendly feelings towards them, and appreciated in particular the way in
which he wished to avoid any conflict of policy with them and from time to
time consulted them on political questions with this object in view. There
was certainly no reason why Ibn Saud should not continue to keep in touch
with His Majesty’s Government on questions of policy, and His Majesty’s
Government would always be glad to answer any questions he might ask
them, whenever it was possible for them to do so.
6 . As regards anti-British propaganda, the four countries which Ibn
Saud had named as being responsible for it were in rather different cate
gories. I was surprised to hear the Turks mentioned, as our relations
with Turkey had recently been particularly friendly. At this the Minister
explained that Ibn Saud was no doubt thinking of the past. I said that if
this was so, it was no good raking it up, but that I found it rather difficult
to believe that the Turks were really carrying on any anti-British propa
ganda now. As regards Germany, she was of course keenly trying to deve
lop and expand her commerce in the Middle East; while Soviet Russia was,
by the nature of things, bound to carry on propaganda everywhere in favour
of her political ideas; but it would be useful to know whether Ibn Saud had
any special cases in mind. Iji reply to this, the Minister admitted that
the only propaganda about which Ibn Sand was seriously worried was that
of Italy. He did not seem inclined to follow up any of the other sugges
tions, which may have been mere window-dressing.
7. I said that it was of course well-known that Italy had been carrying
on a great deal of active propaganda all through the Middle East. We
were well aware that this had often been violently anti-British— e.g., the
broadcasts from Bari, etc., which were well known. Moreover it was clear
that a good deal of Italian money had at one time or another been spent
in such propaganda activities. In so far as they might be carried on in
Saudi Arabia itself, only King Ibn Saud himself could deal with them. As
regards such activities elsewhere, it would be useful to know whether Ibn
Saud could give us any further details, and whether he had any definite
suggestions to make.
8 . The Minister replied that Ibn Saud had no definite proposals, but
merely wished to bring the facts to our attention, particularly with regard
to Italian intrigues in the Yemen. As regards Italian intrigues in Saudi
Arabia, he would be very grateful for any information we could give him.
I said that this might be difficult, since one might know that propoganda
was going on and money being spent, when it was nevertheless not possible to
quote chapter and yerse. With regard to Ibn Saud’s suggestion that we
should reach some understanding with Ibn Saud with regard to possible
Italian activities in the Yemen, I explained that the position was that His
Majesty’s Government desired to see Saudi Arabia strong and independent,
and to see the independence of the Yemen equally maintained. This prin-
ciple underlay the Anglo-Italian Understanding of 1927, the substance of
About this item
- Content
The file contains the Foreign Office confidential prints of the Arabia Series for the years 1933 to 1938. It includes correspondence, memoranda, and extracts from newspapers. The correspondence is principally between the British Legation in Jedda and the Foreign Office. Other correspondents include British diplomatic, political, and military offices, foreign diplomats, heads of state, tribal leaders, corporations, and individuals in the Middle East region.
Each annual series is composed of several numbered serials that are often connected to a particular subject. The file covers many subjects related to the affairs of Saudi Arabia.
Included in the file are the following:
- a memorandum on Arab Unity produced by the Foreign Office dated 12 June 1933 (author unknown), folios 11-13;
- a memorandum on petroleum in Arabia produced by the Petroleum Department dated 5 August 1933 (author unknown), folios 23-26;
- a record of interviews with Ibn Sa‘ūd, King of Saudi Arabia, conducted by Reader Bullard and George William Rendel between 20 and 22 March 1937;
- a memorandum on Yemen by Captain B W Seager, the Frontier Officer, dated 20 July 1937;
- several records of proceedings of ships on patrol in the Red Sea, including that of HMS Penzance , Hastings , Colombo , Bideford , and Londonderry .
Folios 213-15 are internal office notes.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (214 folios)
- Arrangement
The file is arranged chronologically.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 217; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-215; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [147v] (294/434), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/310, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025548487.0x00005f> [accessed 25 April 2024]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/R/15/2/310
- Title
- 'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:6v, 7v:9r, 10r:13r, 14v:18r, 19r, 20r:22r, 23r:46r, 47r:57v, 58v, 59v:61v, 63r, 64v:66v, 68r:76r, 77r:86r, 87r:88v, 89v:103v, 105r:111v, 112v:120v, 121v:122r, 123r:127r, 128v:131v, 133r:137v, 138v:143r, 144v:154r, 155r:175r, 176r:181v, 182v, 184v:196v, 198r:198v, 201r:204v, 206r:207r, 208r:212r, 213r:216v, back-i, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence