Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎11v] (23/802)

London Zoo. In this case the motive power behind the gift is believed to be the
passion of Sheikh Hafiz Wahba, the Saudi Minister in London, for camel’s milk.
The despatch of these eight animals by one small Pharaonic steamer, and with
the limited resources of Jedda, presented great difficulty, but they were eventually
shipped, and successfully transhipped at Port Sudan on to a British India
steamer.
456. The Umm-ul-Qura reports the forthcoming establishment of a British
broadcasting service in Arabic, and quotes an article from the News Chronicle,
saying this is a regrettable necessity, forced upon His Majesty’s Government by
anti-British propaganda by certain wireless stations, and that the object will
be to give accurate news, and not such broadcasts as are made by certain
Governments.
457. On the 6th November the doorkeeper of the Italian Legation left with
one of this Legation’s servants a little pamphlet addressed to Ismail Effendi, the
11 translator of the English Legation.’’ The pamphlet is a translation in Arabic
of the preface to a book by General Adriano Alberti, giving an account of the
activities and victories of the Italian troops during the Great War, and trying
to prove that Italy displayed during that trying period both bravery and a sense
of justice.
458. Mme. Ghersi, wife of the Italian doctor, who. with her husband, lives
above the Italian Legation dispensary, stated, in the course of a casual conversa
tion, that the floor intended for beds for patients was still vacant; she did not
know why. This may mean that the Saudi authorities still refuse to allow the
establishment of anything like a foreign hospital in the Hejaz.
459. Abdul Hamid Bey Munir, who has been Egyptian Charge d’Affaires
in Jedda since the Egyptian Legation was created, has been transferred, and.
according to the Egyptian press, a certain Elias Ismail Bahrawi is to succeed
him. Nominally, Egypt has a Minister at Jedda, but the holder of the post,
Abdul Rahman Bey Azzam, has never appeared here, and the staff of his Legation
state that he is not expected to come.
460. The Mahmal is not to come even as far as Jedda this year, but to stay
at Suez, though the Holy Carpet will be sent to Jedda to be forwarded to
Mecca. It is not known whether this is a consequence of the shabby reception
given to the Mahmal at Jedda last season, or whether it was provided for in the
Saudi-Egyptian agreement, and last year’s arrangement was a half-way stage to
save the face of the Egyptian Government.
461. The Indian newspaper Nizam of Karachi, published in its issue of the
1st October last the following statement, which seems very improbable ; “ News
from Bagdad. On the initiative of Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish Parliament
has sanctioned the despatch of ten anti-aircraft guns to Medina and Mecca for
the protection of the Holy Places from aerial attack in the event of war.”
IV .—M iscellaneous.
462. Sir Reader Bullard returned from leave on the 24th November.
463. H.M.S. Londonderry (Captain W. K. D. Dowding, D.S.C.) visited
Jedda for the first time on her new commission from the 7th to the 12th November.
The formalities were observed as usual. The kaimakam provided some comic
relief by visiting the ship just twenty-four hours before the time appointed for
his visit. He at once acknowledged his mistake, tapped his forehead, mui’muring:
“ It’s due to the Ramazan fast,” and went away, to return at the right time and
receive his proper honours in great good humour.
464. Rumours of the Nizam of Hyderabad’s intention to make the
pilgrimage this year, accompanied by a large suite of some 400 persons, have
caused great pleasure. His Exalted Highness is said to be coming via Syri,a and
Iraq. ' *
465. The Indian vice-consul, Saiyid Lai Shah Bukhari, paid a visit to
Mecca, where he was received by the Amir Feisal and certain other heads of
departments. He was accompanied by the new Legation doctor.
466. The wife of His Highness the Raja King of Perlis, one of the Unfederated
Malay States, arrived here for the pilgrimage on the 21st November. No official
intimation of her coming has been received by this Legation, but the Malay
pilgrimage officer paid her a formal visit to assure her that all proper assistance
would be rendered to her by this Legation.