Coll 6/16 'Future of: Royal Family. Probable happenings on the death of Ibn Saud.' [‎196r] (392/440)

GOPV OF
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OP HID DRITA
P
EASTERN (Arab ia),
CONFIDENTIAL.
166/62/25]
AJESTY’S GOVERNMENT
j January 11, 1932.
I Q "] 9:
Section 2 .
No. 1.
Sir A. Ryan to Sir John Simon.—(Received January 11, 1932.)
(No. 493.) j
. Jejda, December 29, 1931.
I HAVE attempted in my despatch No. 492 of the 28th December to give a
general view of the economic and financial situation in this country. I have now
the honour to submit some account of the political situation and the conjectures
to which it gives rise in connexion with Ibn Saud’s foreign policy. The data
are meagre, and I am even more hampered in this case than in my endeavour to
sum up the economic situation by the fact that I have had no real contact with
the Hejazi Government since my return to Jedda on the 15th December. I should,
indeed, reserve this report for a later occasion were it not for its bearing on tho
possibility of trouble on the northern frontiers of the Hejaz.
2. When Ibn Saud went to Riadh about the beginning of July lie was
completely “fed up ” with the Hejaz and its problems. He doubtless felt;
moreover, that the affairs of Nejd required his personal attention. It was
significant that before going there he made one spectacular gesture designed to
placate extreme Wahhabi opinion by deferring to the opinion of the ulema of
Nejd on the impropriety of celebrating annually his accession to the Heja^i
Throne. At the same time,‘he gave another indication of a swing towards tho
extremists by reviving the machinery for the enforcement of strict religious,
principles. He did not abandon his schemes for certain improvements on
European lines to which fanatics might take exception, like the wireless project.
Nevertheless^, in the published record of the proceedings of the “ National
Conference ’’ held in June stress was laid on the principle that economic develop
ment should be effected by the instrumentality of Moslems, and the King would
not allow the Marconi expert, M. Boueicault, to go to Riadh to erect the wireless;
station there.
3. While the King, on the eve of his departure for Nejd, was thus showing-
himself not only a good Moslem, but a good Wahhabi, he had not despaired of
European assistance. In his June conversations with me he made a strong appeal
for a good understanding on all subjects with Great Britain, with special
reference to his hope of getting His Majesty’s Government to give their patronage
to himself rather than to the Hashimites and the feasibility of inducing a British
bank to give him financial assistance. He took steps to explore the possibility
of raising the wind in other European quarters also, notably in Holland. He
engaged in dealings , with the Bolshevik representative, bqt there is nothing as.
yet to show that he was prepared to give much more to the Soviets than the
privilege of supplying him with benzine on easy terms, and possibly some
relaxation of the restrictions on their trade.
4. The situation in the Hejaz, bad in June, has grown much worse since
then. The towns have every reason for discontent, the tribes for disaffection.
It is not possible to speak with equal confidence of Nejd,, but it is rumoured that
there also there is much dissatisfaction. Apart from the usual tales of trouble
with the tribes, there are specific allegations of discontent owing to oppressive
taxation, non-payment of the wages of Nejdi Soldiers employed in the
neighbourhood of the frontier, e.g., at Tabuk, levies in kind on merchants,
attempts to impose the use of the unpopular Hejazi riyal, and the reforms;
instituted in Hasa by the mission of At-Tawil.
5. Such is the internal situation with which Ibn Saud has to cope, as he
sits tight at Riadh, attempting to deal with the affairs of the Hejaz from a
distance with the aid of the advisers summoned in turn to the Nejdi capital;
uncertain, perhaps, of his hold on Nejd itself, a country which he can only rule
with a strong hand and largess, and the population of which are so little
impressed by kingly majesty in itself that they are said still to use in speaking
to him the address : “ Ya, Abdul Aziz! ” The King must realise by now that
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