"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [ظ‎‎١‎٦‎٠] (٤٣٤/٣٢٠)

14
regulations against smuggling was being considered by His Majesty’s Govern
ment, and that, as to the other matters, it would perhaps be well for me to
wait until Fuad Bey’s return, since I was new to the post, and needed as much
time as possible to make myself fully acquainted with the relevant files.
Sheikh Yusuf had made no objection to this, and had concluded that all ques
tions of major interest were therefore in abeyance, and that on the 5th October
he would discuss minor questions at issue, such as the blacklisting of certain
pilgrim guides. He, however, embarked upon a long statement on foreign
affairs, which, he said, he had been charged to make by His Majesty King
Abdul Aziz. He spoke very carefully, hesitating from time to time, as though
to recall Ibn Baud’s exact words. The statement, however, was so clearly,
in its more important parts, only a repetition of many statement^ made to
the Legation during the Ethiopian dispute, that it has been possible to cut
down to a page or so the summary which I attach to the present despatch.
2. In reply, I said that Sheikh Yusuf must not expect a detailed answer.
I was new to the post, and I had not been warned what he proposed to talk
about. (I might have reminded him that when he asked for a meeting I had
enquired whether he wished to speak of anything of great importance, so that
I might be prepared, and that he had waved this aside.) As to Palestine,
I was happy to say that, when I was received by Mr. Eden after my appoint
ment, he authorised me to convey to His Majesty King Abdul Aziz his
personal thanks for the help offered in connexion with the Palestine dispute.
On all other points except one my remarks were purely conventional. The
exception was Italy, though even on this point I confined myself to genera
lities. I said that it was clearly impossible for me to go beyond statements
made to the Saudi Government by Sir Andrew Byan, acting on instructions
from His Majesty’s Government. For myself, I would suggest that the Saudi
Government should take a long view and not think only of the Ethiopian
question, which had been complicated by the fact that the whole world was
trying to find a solution by hitherto untried methods. The Saudi attitude
towards the Italian offer of money and arms was presumably prompted by
a desire to maintain their independence, an aim which must have the fullest
sympathy of His Majesty’s Government. His Majesty would do well to look
again at the Rome understanding of 1927. It was not usual to give such
assurances as the Saudi Arab Government had wished to receive. What
would happen would depend on world affairs, on a host of circumstances. The
King had at least one solid fact to go upon—the long experience of His Majes
ty’s Government to which Sheikh Yusuf had referred with appreciation. I
stated that what Sheikh Yusuf had said would be reported to the Foreign
Office, and I concluded with suitable thanks for the assurances of friendship,
and with similar assurances on our own part.
3. Since the meeting which I have described, I have read with great
attention all the papers relating to the attempt made by Ibn Saud a few
months ago to obtain from His Majesty’s Government assurances that they
w ould assist him if he should be threatened by the Italians. It is difficult to
see what Ibn Saud expects to gain by raising this point again, when it has
been dealt with so fully and so many times by my predecessor, acting on
instructions from His Majesty’s Government. But I did not gather that Ibn
Saud was really expecting a more favourable reply, but only that he was stat
ing his position. Perhaps he felt that it was the proper thing to do, on the
appointment of a new British Minister, to give a summary of his foreign
policy as it affects His Majesty’s Government. And then the oriental always
attaches importance to individuals, and hopes that B will get him better
terms than were offered by B’s predecessor, A.
4 . I imagine that you will wish me to express my thanks for the assurances
of friendship, and perhaps your particular pleasure, at Ibn Sand’s remember
ing occasions before the war when the support of His Majesty’s Government
v^as of assistance to him, and to say, with regard to the references made by
Sheikh Yusuf Yasin to Italy, that Sir Andrew Ryan went into this question
so fully and explained so clearly the attitude of His Majesty’s Government
that I am unable to add anything to what he said. I await your instructions.