PZ 1115/1938 'Col. Dickson's visit to Riyadh and conversations with Ibn Saud.' [‎32r] (63/96)

Personal and Confidential
■
Kuwait,
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
Nov.2nd 1937
crr<
I have just returned from my trip (31.10.37) to Riyadh
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which you remember I told you about when I was in England.
The wife and I were originally invited by the King to leave Kuwait
on 21st Oct. but a later telegram from him fixed our date for the
23rd, so we left Kuwait that day in two cars, and covered the
distance of approx: 500 miles to the King ! s Capital in exactly
1734 driving hours. Weather conditions were perfect and we found
the nights distinctly cold in the heart of Najd.
The desert scenery en route was wild in the extreme, and the only
sign of life outside Jerriya frontier post were six gazelle and
1 Bustard.
We spent actually Wk most enjoyable days with the King and put in a
very full programme, of audiences, banquets and sightseeing, not
to mention witnessing a grand ! Ardha or w r ar dance, given on the
morning of our last day in our honour it was said, but in reality
to celebrate the ’’completed” reading through of the Koran by one
of the King’s small sons (Khatim they call a boy who has finished
such reading).
morning after I arrived, followed by two subsequent shorter
interviews of half an hour each the third and fourth mornings of
my sojourn. My wife also met all the Royal ladies including the
famous sister of the King, by name Nura, and was most kindly,
and indeed affectionately received by them on all three occasions:
The wife was particularly attracted by the Lady Nura, who she
described as one of the most loveable and charming women she has
ever met, with all the magnetism and character of her great brother
the King, and clearly one of the most important personages in-the
State and sharing in the King’s most intimate councils.
As the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and I think RendfcL will be interestec
to hear what the King had to say to me about Palestine and
relations with His Majesty’s Government in general, I am taking
the liberty of sending you in precis form, a summary of what
passed between us, or rather I should say what the King said,
for as is usual with him he did all the talking and did not allow me
to get in a word edgeways.
I naturally made it quite clear to the King that my
visit was of a purely private and personal nature, also that I
r had received both the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. and Foreign Office blessing
f before I came, but the King nevertheless hinted that he hoped I
> * would "pass on" what I heard to the proper quarter even if such
- ** proceeding was somewhat irregular.
I had a full two hours audience with the King the