File 1707/1924 ‘Arabia:- Jeddah Situation Reports. (1924-1930)’ [‎57r] (118/898)

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situation as a possible motive for Ibn Musaad’s action. The King also again pressed
for a speedy settlement of the problem. A similar reply to the above was received
about the same time from the Hejaz Government, who stated that strict and definite
oi tiers had been issued to their people and officials to stop all raiding.
^9. The “ Um-el-Qura ” announces that the “ Kiawa ” factory An East India Company trading post. is actively engaged
m paving the holy carpet for this year’s pilgrimage and that this, it is expected,
will be completed about the middle of April. I am told that this forecast is somewhat
optimistic although the factory An East India Company trading post. is now working at high pressure. It will be recalled
that there was trouble last year between the weavers and the manager, as a result of
which eight of the weavers had to be repatriated to India by this agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. as destitutes,
while four more left at their own expense. There has been considerable delay in
replacing them, and their substitutes only arrived in fact on the 18th February.
10. A scheme is under consideration for supplying Mecca and Jedda with electric
power from a station to he erected, probably at Bahra ; this, so far as Jedda is
concerned, is intended to replace the present unsatisfactory arrangements by which
Jedda is dependent for its electricity on a small plant of inadequate performance which
works m conjunction with the condenser. The subject, which was first broached two
or three years ago and has occasionally been mooted since, is now being seriously
canvassed. A special committee of local notables, dubbed for the purpose “ experts,”
has been appointed by the Government to consider the scheme and estimate the
benefits which would accrue from it. Several meetings have been held and, among
other resolutions, it has been decided that a company is to be formed for carrying the
scheme into effect, that two-thirds of the shares are to be taken up by the municipality
of Mecca and the Ministry of Finance and that the remaining third is to be offered to
the public for subscription.
11. The general feeling about the scheme is that, if properly managed, it will be
a success, but that the essential condition for this is European control, at any rate in
the engineering department. It is for this reason presumably that Bahra, which is
outside the zone forbidden to non-Moslems, is suggested as the headquarters of the
scheme. Abdullah Suleiman, the Minister of Finance, who is apparently the moving
spirit, is also considering the engagement of a European as managing director to
ensure the proper handling of the financial side of the concern ; royal assent for this
has, however, not yet been obtained.
12. The chief criticisms of the project, as at present contemplated, are, firstly,
that the proposed capital of £60,000 will not suffice to cover the cost of any effective
scheme, and, secondly, that the people have no confidence in the honesty of the
Government’s intentions, and fear, for instance, that the Government will not pay for
the power it uses itself ; as the Government will probably be the largest consumer, this
would probably be sufficient to wreck the scheme. The fate of the Saudieh Motor
Company, a concern which was launched in very similar circumstances, is fresh in the
public memory. The public is showing little enthusiasm in taking up the shares
offered and is awaiting further developments before committing itself.
13. The scheme is at present in its embryonic stages, and, although in its broad
outlines it has received the approval of the King, its details still require royal sanction.
It is perhaps early yet therefore to consider it as a serious project.
14. His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve the appointment of
Sheikh Hafiz Wahba as Hejaz-Nejd Minister Plenipotentiary in London.
15. The Soviet agent and consul-general, Nazir Bey Turakouloff, presented
credentials as “ Representative Plenipotentiary ” to the Emir Feisal on the 26th
February. Speeches of a cordial tone were exchanged.
16. H.M.S. “ Clematis ” arrived in Jedda on the 11th February and left on the
14th February. The usual visits were exchanged.
17. Some difficulties arose recently between the Hejaz Government and Messrs.
Sharqieh (Limited) over the purchase of a sea-goiug launch. The launch, a craft about
40 feet long, purchased at a cost of £3,000, was found on arrival to differ from the
required specifications, and to be unsuitable for the purposes of the Hejaz Government
and dangerous to take out to sea. Mr. Philby, however, managed eventually to
persuade the Hejaz Government to take it over. It has now been forced upon the
unfortunate dhowmen despite their protests and they are to pay for it by yearly
instalments of £600. This action on the part of the Government has caused great
indignation among the dhowmen, who intend to petition the King when he comes to
Jedda, and who say, with some truth it would appear, that Mr. Philby should foot the
bill himself. For the moment, howe\er, they have no other choice but to comply with
the Government’s order as they are threatened with the use of the launch by the