File 1707/1924 ‘Arabia:- Jeddah Situation Reports. (1924-1930)’ [‎108v] (221/898)

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x ^ tVia ctrpetq of Jeddah have been decorated with
in Riyadh) has been postpone • lodge, and two queer triumphal arches
bunting, and the barracks Sandhills 1 splotched red and green. His Majesty will
arbitrarily placed ,.i ate w hich has been pierced in the wall some
enter the city through the new ^We gate wmc^n n ^ ^ ^ hoped ^ ^ wiii J
100 yards to the east of the or ™ , dense’mass of the cheering populace failtf,
more fortunate than last year when the dense mas^ ^ a ^
to materialise and he wascop g considera bl e number of houses have been
the Mecca gate at a triumphant ent y. deduced that the King hopes
built m Mecca for the Royal family, from w n ‘ou govern from Mem
to be relieved of the necessity for yearly vlslt fi s d®, Jt^.^durfng April Neid manv
4 Both Neid and 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 have reported raids during Ap , i\eja many
more than Traniiordan. 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 , however, appears to have sustained the
heavier losses. Trransjordan, moreover, claims that one of the alleged raids on Nejd
did not concern that country at all but was a domestic difference among the
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 section of the Beni Atiya. It is also stated that the names of some ot
those given as raiders by the Hejaz Government are unknown. On instructions from
ffis Majesty Fuad Hhmza has pressed for a reply to the various protests made
during the last few months. This reply is in the course of preparation.
5 . During the month an attempt was made to secure the person of Auda-el-
Atna A summons to appear at Amman was unfortunately conveyed in the form ol
an invitation to visit the Amir Abdulla. Auda was arrested on arrival but
subsequently released, as it was felt that the circumstances of his arrest offended bo h
British and Arab sentiment. Endeavours are now to be made to secure his arrest by
proper means. A personal explanation of this incident has been sent to Ibn oaud by
His Mai esty’s High Commissioner for 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 . . . . .
6 . Meanwhile, His Majesty has been asked to make a prompt investigation oi
the circumstances surrounding the death of Sheikh Enad-bin-Jumaian of the
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 section of the Beni Atiya, who is stated to have been enticed into the
Hejaz by Ibn Sand’s subjects and then shot dead. Punishment of those guilty of this
treachery and payment of compensation is demanded. .
7. The Hejaz Government has been informed that the reported motor visit m
Nejd of a party from 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 , including the Sherif Shakir (referred to in
paragraph 3 of last month’s report), is entirely without foundation.
8 . A reply has now been received to the joint note on the Hejaz Railway
conveying the suggestion of His Majesty’s Government and the French Government
that the Hejaz should send experts to a conference having the limited scope of that
proposed at' Haifa provided it was clearly understood and agreed beforehand that
the conference was not empowered to discuss the question of the status of the
railway. The reply pays no attention to this suggestion but returns to the old
arguments of the religious character of the line, and asks that His Majesty s
Government and the French Government will reconsider their decision and agree to
reopen the matter for full discussion. When within a fortnight of sending this reply
Sheikh Fuad Hamza asked me whether I had received any further expression of His
Majesty’s Government’s views, I assured him that I had not received, and did not
expect to receive, anything further on the subject.
9. It is not given to everyone to share the attributes of the Almighty but Fuad,
in his capacity of Law giver, has again during the past month given abundant prod
of his superiority in this respect. El Ala has now been organised. The Ottoman
administrative boundaries are to remain, and an Amir is to be appointed with a
kaimakam as assistant. The municipality, the police, the Post Office, the Finance
Department, the kadi and the military detachments are severally put into their places
and instructed in the pleasant diversion of passing papers to one another with the
endorsement “ Seen.”
10. The text of a regulation of some importance on the press and printing has
also been issued, and is attached to this report as an appendix [Enclosure 2].
11. There is a lighter touch in the advice to pilgrims published by the Health
Department. Pilgrims, mutawifs and sheikhs are to take care not to expose
themselves to the hot sun. If they feel the effect of the heat they are to retire to a
place in the shade and apply compresses of iced water to the head.’ Sufferers at night
are counselled to repair to the nearest place with a red light over the entrance— this
apparently being the distinguishing mark of a health station. By day such posts
fly a white and a green flag. Nine stations or sheds with doctors, orderlies and water
have been established between Mecca, Muna and Arafat. Electric lights are to be
placed on the way between Mecca and Muna. Six large cars, seven mule-drawn