'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎209r] (417/434)

6. Copies of this despatch and of its enclosure are being sent to His
Majesty’s Ambassador at Cairo, His Majesty’s Ambassador at Bagdad,
and His excellency the High Commissioner for Palestine and 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 ,
Jerusalem.
Enclosure.
Extract from a Note on a Conversation with M. Naidyonojf.
The pilot, Ciccu, is ignored by the Saudi pilots, who do not even say.
good-morning to him (? on orders from the King). When Naidyonoff
asks them why this rudeness they indicate that they don’t want any Italians.
But one form of insult is no longer inflicted on Ciccu : he used to have to
walk to the aerodrome, but Abdullah Sulaiman (Minister of Finance and
Director of Defence) has now supplied him with a car. The only person
who is friendly to Ciccu is Said-al-Kurdi, who is learning Italian from
him, because, he says, it is bound to be useful in the next, war, whichever
side Saudi Arabia is on.
Said-al-Kurdi is the only person who has a glimmering of understand
ing of aviation, its uses, needs, limitations, etc. Abdullah Sulaiman is
hopeless, but Kurdi listens, and also learns from experience.
Kurdi is always telling Naidyonoff that if only the Saudi aeroplanes
could fl} along the 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 frontier, so that the tribes there could see
that the Saudis had an air force, there would be an immediate rising in
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 , which would spread to Palestine, and the Saudi tribes would
take part. Naidyonoff asked Kurdi whether this was Ibn Saud’s policy.
Kurdi said no, but if the movement started he would not stop it, but would
have to back it up.
Kurdi is very unpopular, but he is a single-minded fanatic on this
subject and the young people listen to him. There is a tremendous amount
of propaganda of this kind going on, designed to show that times are very
difficult for His Majesty’s Government and that the opportunity should not
be lost. Naidyonoff said that we ought to watch “night and day” in Trans
jordan.
( 21 )
(Received on the 9th April 1938, with Political Secretary's letter No. 12,
dated the 2Mh March 1938.)
Copy.
(E.-1374/1267/25.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter, dated the 17th March 1938.
Cypher telegram from Sir R. Bullard (Jedda), No. 63, dated the 11th
March 1938.
My despatch No. 181 of December 18th.
Ibn Baud sent word a few days ago that he had been obliged to accept
Italian present of arms and that these would be received shortly. Accord
ing to Euad consignment would consist of guns and specimens of various
weapons, e.g., rifles and what are perhaps sub-machine guns with three
Italians to explain their use. If specimens are satisfactory orders may
be passed. The message was accompanied by an assurance from the King
that no material advantage would ever affect his friendship for His
Majesty’s Government. I said His Majesty’s Government knew that and
referred to my comments of December 18th and said that these had been
approved by His Majesty’s Government.
2. Consignment landed March 9th.
I88(S) ExASairsDept.