"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [و‎‎٨‎٦] (٤٣٤/١٧١)

(13)
(Received on 23rd Febrmry 1935, with Political Secretary's letter No. 6, dated the 7th
February 1935).
Letter from the Admiralty, to the India Office, No. M.-0205/35, dated the
2nd February 1935.
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit
for the information of the Secretary of State for India in Council, extracts from a
report of proceedings of H. M. S. Penzance, covering the period 1st to 30th
^November 1934.
Enclosure to Serial No. (13).
* * * *
HODEIDA.
Extract.
* * *
* * *
6 . Arrived at 16-00 on 6th November and saluted the Country with 21 guns *
the shore battery replied with 23. Mr. Saleh Jailer (British Political Clerk) and
the new Port Otiicer (ex-royal barber) called to welcome the ship.
7. The weather being unsuitable for the use of ship’s boats, I landed on the
morning of the 7th m the harbour launch at the celebrated Iron Ladder, now tempo
rarily rejuvenated by the addition of another ladder of slightly stouter build
and was received at the shore end of the pier by a Guard of Honour and a large
crowd. Driving to the Palace in the courtyard of which another Guard was parad
ed, I was shown into the presence of the Amir, Seyyid Abdullah al Wazir, who
received me with much friendliness and every appearance of genuine pleasure.
This was the first occasion on which I had met His Excellency, as Penzance had
sailed for Malta before he assumed command of the town in early July. His
Excellency begged to be excused from returning my call in person, as he was carry
ing out a preliminary fast in preparation for the more serious business of Ramadan
and feared the effects of the prolonged boat passage to and from the ship under the
prevailing weather conditions. These were, indeed such that I readily agreed and
suggested that, in the interests of his deputies, the return ceremony should in any
case be deferred until the weather moderated. y
^ the ship of 2 sheep, beef, 30 dozen bananas, 30 dozen eggs. 10
bags of coffee, vegetables and fruit was received from the Amir during the after
noon, to whom a return present of tinned fruit was sent, accompanied by a suitable
letter of thanks. J
9. Officers landed in the afternoon for tennis. The improved standard of play
among the habitues, a new box of balls and a locally constructed net of striking
colour bore witness to the continued popularity of the game, which is such that
even the re-surfacing of the court itself is seriously mooted.
** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية ** هذه التواريخ تقريبية *
13. The Amir appears to be taking at least some steps to develop the town •
the seawall has been built up and the foreshore cleared of much accumulated
rubbish, while a small icemaking plant, purchased second hand at Port Sudan
has been installed but is not yet in working order. The bann on the importa
tion of gramophones and alcoholic drinks has, how r ever, been re-imposed with
renewed severity. 1
The foreign community has changed but little. The Italian Doctor Tazzi
maintains a clinic in the erstwhile Government store near the seafront at which
free medical attention is dispensed The Italian Agent Jamecili is still in’the town
but the French Vice Consul, in a state of extreme decrepitude, has retired to his
home at Beirut.
14. With regards to the Petroleum dispute with the Sa’uid Government in
3une last (Penzance s No 0/59 of 25th June 1934) (F. 311-N,/34) it was ascertained
from the representative of Messrs. Liveratos that after the assumption of Yemeni
control the firm presented their account, which was settled without demur The
Sa’udi receipt for Customs dues was also admitted without question. It is
understood that the same treatment w^as accorded to Messrs. Besse. but it is not
known what attitude was adopted with regards to the Italian u S. A N E ”