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Coll 6/21(1) 'Hejaz-Nejd: Relations with H.M.G.: Hejaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah.' [233v] (477/914)
The record is made up of 1 volume (453 folios). It was created in 7 Sep 1927-10 Jan 1935. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: 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. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
2
v. Soviet Activities and Propaganda.
They were also to enquire, as King Abdul Aziz had enquired in the past,
what policy His Majesty’s Government would advise him to follow m regard
to Soviet activities. ,. 1,1 . . x
Fuad Bey Hamza said that these were the points which the mission were )
instructed to take up with His Majesty’s Government. The one of fundamental
importance was the first. If the reply on that point was encouraging, the others
could be dealt with in turn.
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Sir L. Oliphant then replied on each of these five points in turn.
As to I, the attitude of His Majesty’s Government towards the Hejaz-Nejd,
he said he had always been puzzled when, from time to time, it was reported
that King Abdul Aziz felt doubts as to the continuance of the friendly attitude
of His Majesty’s Government. He assured Fuad Bey Hamza emphatically that
in fundamentals that attitude was as cordial as ever. He stiessed the phra,se
“in fundamentals.” With the extension of the dominions of King Abdul Aziz,
the points of contact with His Majesty's Government had increased in number.
Since the war, His Majesty’s Government had certain connexions with terri
tories which were adjacent to those dominions and which formerly had been
part of the Turkish Empire. Sir Lancelot emphasised that these were not
colonies, but mandated territories, and that this distinction connoted a real
difierence of relationship, and a real difference in the degree of control exercised
by His Majesty’s Government. With the more numerous points of contact,
occasions of’ differences between His Majesty’s Government and the Hejaz-Nejd
Government had naturally arisen. King Abdul Aziz, before now, had explained
that, when he spoke frankly, it was because it was appropriate to do so between
friends. His Majesty’s Government agreed with this sentiment, and when causes
of difficulty arose, they, too, believed in speaking frankly, as the best means of
clearing up differences between friends. His Majesty must, therefore, not
misunderstand them when they did so, or think that this showed a change of
fundamental attitude. As he said before, he could give an absolute assurance
that, fundamentally, His Majesty’s Government’s attitude remained one of
sincere friendship.
Sir Lancelot added that, if Luad Bey, when he returned to his country,
would explain this to His Majesty, and remove any misapprehensions which he
might have on this subject, the mission’s visit to this country would have been
well worth while.
Fuad Bey Hamza expressed his pleasure at Sir L. Oliphant’s statement, and
he said he would do his best on his return to the Hejaz to eradicate from
King Abdul Aziz’s mind any mistaken ideas that might remain on this subject.
Passing to II, the mission’s request for a loan, Sir L. Oliphant explained
the difficulties in this time of most stringent economy. He would not mislead
Fuad Bey into thinking it was at all likely that the mission’s request could be
acceded to. He would, however, put the point to the Treasury and would give an
answer soon, so that the mission might, if they wished, approach financial houses,
although he feared that from that quarter, too, the chances of getting a loan were
remote.
I uad Bey Hamza said that, if His Majesty’s Government could not
themselves make a loan to his Government, they could, perhaps, arrange one with
some financial houses. His Government only required a loan of £500,000. In
answer to a question, he explained that he meant £500,000 gold, or its equivalent,
and that he had data as to what could be offered as security.
Sir L. Oliphant said that, while he could not encourage any hope in Fuad
Bey, he would consult the competent department.
In regard to III, Haramein Wakfs, Sir L. Oliphant recalled that
King Abdul Aziz had made a similar request some years ago, and His Majesty’s
Government had given a written reply. The Government of India could not
interfere in religious and quasi-religious matters, and there were no religious
courts in India; but His Majesty’s Government had explained that, if the Hejaz-
Nejd Government wished, they could have recourse to the civil courts, and had
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About this item
- Content
This volume concerns relations between the British Government and the Government of the Hejaz and Nejd (later Saudi Arabia).
The volume largely consists of copies of Foreign Office and Colonial Office correspondence. The correspondence near the beginning of the volume discusses Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd's] wish to enter into full diplomatic relations with the British Government. The Hejazi Government's proposal in 1929 to establish a legation in London is accompanied by a request for the British Government to raise the status of its Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Consulate in Jedda to the same status.
The subsequent correspondence in the volume discusses the following:
- The British Government's consideration (and acceptance) of Ibn Saud's proposal, and the appointment of Sir Andrew Ryan as His Majesty's Minister at the British Legation in Jedda in May 1930.
- Hafiz Wahba's appointment as Hejazi Minister in London in 1930.
- Complaints made by the Hejazi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding Sir Andrew Ryan's attitude and conduct since his arrival in Jedda.
- Details of an Hejazi-Nejdi diplomatic mission to Europe (including visits to Italy, France, Britain, and the Netherlands), undertaken in May 1932 and headed by Amir Feisal [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd], Hejazi Minister for Foreign Affairs (this part of the volume includes detailed accounts of the mission's meetings with Foreign Office officials during its visit to London).
- Sir Andrew Ryan's account of his meeting with Ibn Saud at Taif in July 1934, and their discussion of the 'blue line' (the frontier which marked the Ottoman Government's renunciation of its claims to Bahrain and Qatar, in the Anglo-Ottoman convention of 1913) and the Kuwait blockade.
- Details of several meetings held at the Foreign Office between Fuad Bey Hamza (Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for Saudi Arabia), Sir Andrew Ryan and George William Rendel (Head of the Foreign Office's Eastern Department), during September 1934, regarding the 'blue line', the Kuwait blockade, and the future of the Treaty of Jedda (the treaty signed between Britain and Ibn Saud in 1927).
- Requests from the Italian Government for information regarding Fuad Bey Hamza's visit to London.
The volume features the following principal correspondents: His Majesty's Agent and Consul at Jedda, a position that was raised to His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires to Jedda in late 1929 (Hugh Stonehewer Bird, William Linskill Bond, Cecil Gervase Hope Gill, and Albert Spencer Calvert successively); His Majesty's Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan); His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome (Ronald William Graham); Ibn Saud; Amir Faisal; officials of the Hejazi/Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs; officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, and 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. .
In addition to correspondence, the volume contains a copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Committee of Imperial Defence's Standing Official Sub-Committee for Questions Concerning the Middle East. The meeting, which took place in London on 8 November 1934, was primarily concerned with the settlement of the 'blue line' issue, the Saudi- Transjordan Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan frontier, and the Kuwait blockade.
The volume includes two dividers which give a list of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (453 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 449; these numbers are written in pencil and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. The front and back covers, along with the two leading and two ending flyleaves, have not been foliated.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Coll 6/21(1) 'Hejaz-Nejd: Relations with H.M.G.: Hejaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah.' [233v] (477/914), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/2087, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100066378257.0x00004e> [accessed 7 June 2026]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/12/2087
- Title
- Coll 6/21(1) 'Hejaz-Nejd: Relations with H.M.G.: Hejaz Legation in London and British Minister in Jeddah.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:iv-v, 3r:78v, 80r:96v, 100r:151v, 153r:218v, 220r:227v, 229r:238v, 240r:240v, 242r:242v, 244r:247v, 249r:255v, 258r:286v, 288r:293v, 298r:316v, 320r:362v, 364r:366v, 370r:371v, 373r:406v, 409r:422v, 424r:426v, 428r:448v, v-r:vi-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence