File 10/11 Ibn Sa`ud and the Hijaz: cession of `Aqaba; conquest of `Asir; abdication of Amir `Ali; fall of Medina; fall of Jidda; establishment of Ibn Sa`ud's administration in Jidda [‎273r] (545/574)

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Dependencies. The ceremony, which took place in Mecca, came as a surprise to
many oi the Hejaz people themselves, and was, according to reports, forced upon
Ibn Saud, not against his will, perhaps, by the Hejaz notables, as they realised that
should he hand the government of the Hejaz over to the Hejazis themselves or to
some Moslem delegation or council, nothing but internecine strife and contentions
would be their lot for months and even years to come, as they would be open to the
intrigues of the Ashraf and many other sections of the public.
Therefore, in order to guarantee the safety of the Haramain and the roads
leading thereto, in order that Moslems could perform their religious duties in
security, and, further, in order to secure peace and prosperity to their country,
they begged Ibn Saud to accept the kingship.
1 his Ibn Saud did but declared that the Hejaz was for the Hejazis, and that, in
accordance with their wishes, he would assume the title of King and assure the
safety of the Holy Places and roads, but that the affairs of Nejd and the Hejaz would
be kept strictly separate.
14. On the 22nd instant, Ibn Saud, just prior to observing a self-inflicted
fast, on account of not having fasted the year previous owing to the w T ar, invited the
representatives of the various Powers, the European residents and the notables of
Jeddah to a banquet. #
A After the dinner Abdullah Bey read a speech of welcome, after which the Sultan
^ addressed the assembled company in the following sense :—
‘ It is a great pleasure to me to have the opportunity of informing my
honoured guests, and particularly the foreign representatives, of my thoughts
and desires for this holy territory, and which merits our best efforts to secure
its peace and prosperity. I shall devote the whole of my energies to that end.
I am aware of the great achievements of the western world and I do not despise
them. I feel that the western world owes much to the Arabs, w r ho have, in
recent years, lost their position in the world because they strayed from the
right paths set by their ancestors, but I am going to devote my energies to
bring them back to those paths of righteousness and truth which alone lead to
great achievements.
‘‘ We have our obligations to the honourable foreign Governments, by which
we will stand, and they have their obligations towards us. Moslems are
brothers throughout the world, and w r e stand as such, and we ask the foreign
Governments to facilitate the passage of pilgrims to the Holy Places. And
there are obligations greater even than this, and that is, that Arabs and Moslems
A should be treated with consideration and their interests protected as the
foreigners are treated in this Holy Land.
“ I know that the heart of an Arab and Moslem is good soil, and if it is
watered with kindly consideration it wall produce good crops, i.e., affection.
Therefore, I beg that the honourable foreign Governments will not gainsay the
legitimate rights of the Moslems in their respective countries. In conclusion, I
pray God our actions may be greater than our words.”
15. His Majesty has, during the course of several conversations I have had
with him, raised the question of slavery, and is, in fact, manifesting a desire to
find some way of abolishing this barbarous practice in the territories under his
control. What the eventual results will be is not yet manifest.
16. During the period under report, orders have been secured for British
firms for the supply of a condenser, two motor-cars and 5,000 tons of coal. It is
hoped to secure further orders for boats, electric lighting plants, and the supply of
an amount of small coinage to replace the small coins of many denominations and
nationalities at present in circulation.
There is also in the course of formation a Moslem company to run a service of
motor-cars between Jeddah and Mecca. This company, which will be composed
purely of Moslems, are desirous of having the service running before the full
pilgrimage in May-June next, but, owing to the slowmess of the various administra
tions and the consequent delay in getting the concession, it is doubtful whether it
will be possible.
17. I understand that Mr. Philby, who is still in Jeddah, is endeavouring to
secure the oil concessions at Dibba, and, if so, will be returning to England to
attempt to raise the necessary capital for the exploration of these fields.
18. Two Indian deputations have been present in Jeddah during the period.
(1) the Khilafat delegation as partisans of Ibn Saud, and (2) the Khudam-ul-