"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎١] (٤٣٤/٤٠١)

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5. Mr. Ousman, pro-consul at this Legation, who was employed at
Riyadh during this summer, reports that there were a large number of slaves
nt the capital. He did not hear anything said about their having been
registered.
( 6 )
(Received on 29th January 1938, with Political Secretary's letter No. 2,
dated the 13th January 1938.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter, dated the 6th January 1938.
Cypher telegram from Sir R. Bullard (Jedda), to Foreign Office, No. 3,
DATED THE 3RD JANUARY 1938.
Mr. Rendel’s letter of December 16th.
From what Ibn Saud said at our last interview I am satisfied that he
will not consent to the holding of a political conference at Mecca.
ri
(7)
(Received on 29th January 1938, with Political Secretary's letter No. 2,
dated the 13th January 1938.)
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter, dated the 6th January 1938.
Cypher telegram from Sir R. Bullard, to Foreign Office, No. 5,
DATED THE 5TH JANUARY 1938.
Important*
Your telegram No. 119 of December 31st.
I saw Ibn Saud in camp near Ashaira at 8-30 a.m. on January 4th and
handed him an aide-memoire in the sense of your telegram No. 117.
2 . After examination of text in private and long discussion Ibn Saud
said he was inclined to optimism. But this is obviously based on his belief
that in the long run His Majesty’s Government cannot decide partition to be
either just or practicable. Moreover the optimism is tempered by his fear
that atmosphere in Palestine is unfavourable to the work of proposed com-
nnssKm. The publication of despatch would help but would not be enough
Many Palestinians were m exile or in prison and outrages were reported
dady Suggestion by Fuad that a general amnesty might be granted imme
diately he ruled out as not practical politics. Perhaps the severity of the
sentences of military courts might be diminished for a beginning and some-
hmg m the nature of an amnesty might be worked up to if guarantees and
co-operation were assured. I believe he is already considering what he can do
to help to create a better atmosphere.
, J: I 1 ® ? aud . a ga in s P° ke with the greatest solemnity of peril of position
ot His Majesty s Government and consequently of his own. The fire in
Palestine was small but the wind of intrigue was blowing the flame straight
at the living tree. Not only was he anxious on political grounds but the
Palestine business was infinitely distressing to him personally For four
months he had been unable to listen to broadcasts from Jerusalem because
they were so pamful to him. He had decided to listen on January 3rd to
the first Arabic broadcast from London and filled his tent with Arabs for
the occasion. When the news was announced that an Arab had been execut
ed H I Il Pa A eSt i ne h f v , f K t aS ‘^ugh the rope was round his own neck and he
and the Arabs with him could not refrain from tears. At this His Maiestv
was deeply moved and tears in the sincerity of which I at least belfeve came
into his eyes. He readily admitted that the British did not punish Arabs for
188(S) ExAfifair.-Pep' 1 1
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