Coll 6/2 'Hejaz-Nejd: Italo-Hejaz-Nejd Treaty and Relations. Attitude of Saudi Govt during Italo-Ethiopian Dispute.' [‎91r] (182/368)

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HJS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
EASTERN (Arabia).
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j 8238
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October 14, 1935.
CONFIDENTIAL.
1 O J o
Section 4.
[E 6153/5599/25]
Mr. Calvert to
Sir Samuel Hoare.—{Received October 14.)
(No. 271. Confidential.)
Sir,
Jedda, October 1, 1935.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 237, Confidential, of the 20th August
last relative to the reactions in this country to the present Italo-Ethiopian crisis,
I have the honour to submit a brief account of the general attitude and public
feeling, in the somewhat limited area with which I am in touch, towards this
dispute and the parties involved in it, in order to supplement the information
I have ventured to telegraph at some length regarding the attitude of the Saudi
Arab Government as communicated to me by Sheikh Yusuf Yasin.
2. It may, I consider, be confidently stated that the general sympathies in
this part of Saudi Arabia are undoubtedly with Abyssinia, and are perhaps as
strong or even stronger than they were when I addressed to you the despatch
under reference. It has been even said that some criticism has been expressed
locally of the Saudi Arab Government for not having adopted an attitude more
definitely friendly to the Abyssinians. The recent growth in the number of
wireless sets now privately owned and successfully operated in Jedda has helped
to foster an intense interest in the day-to-day fortunes of this situation. In the
latter part of September, both at Mecca and Jedda, the sensitiveness of the local
inhabitants to the gravity of reported developments at Geneva led to a wide
spread movement to buy up food-stuffs and other goods to hoard against the day
when supplies by sea, upon which the urban population of the Hejaz so largely
depend, should be interrupted, if not cut off. The impulse to hoard was short
lived, and the efforts of the local authorities and the effect of more hopeful news
contributed to restore confidence and to allow prices, which had risen appreciably,
to return to normal.
3. I have as yet observed no sign of anti-British propaganda of Italian
inspiration. Indeed, the feeling here at present is that the only hope of the
avoidance of hostilities lies in the firm attitude adopted by His Majesty’s Govern
ment, and while feeling towards Great Britain may be considered friendly, it is
believed that pro-Italian sympathy, even in limited circles, scarcely exists.
4. Signor Odello, as I have reported by telegram, has now received
permission from the Saudi Government to purchase camels. He has paid a lump
sum in advance, and his broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. left some days ago to arrange to collect the
animals. They have not appeared in Jedda yet. Sheikh Yusuf Yasin informed
me that he had imposed no limits either in respect of the number of camels bought
or the time taken in acquiring them, although he did not exclude the possibility
of placing restrictions on the operations of Signor Odello later. No further
consignments of other live-stock and such commodities as fresh fruit, vegetables,
fodder, &c., have been shipped to Massawa, as the first experiment turned out
unfortunately for the Saudi merchants engaged. It is reported that the
vegetables, fruit, &c., perished owing to the lengthy delay which occurred at
Massawa before the goods could be unloaded, and they had to be thrown over
board, the loss falling on the shoulders of the Jeddawi merchants, who were to
receive payment upon the consignment landing safely at Eritrea.
5. I am sending copies of this despatch to the Government of India, Addis
Ababa, Aden and the Department of Overseas Trade.
I have, &c.
A. S. CALVERT.