"ملف 8/15 سلسلة الجزيرة العربية - ١٩٣٣-١٩٣٩" [ظ‎‎٢‎٠‎١] (٤٣٤/٤٠٢)

10
their political opinions but asked whether the crimes for which they were
hanging and imprisoning Arabs would have been committed if it had not
been for the policy of His Majesty’s Government. I know a reply of a
kind to this question but none that will convince Ibn Saud or any other
Arab.
4. Despatch by bag today.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 5 of January 5th; repeated to
Cairo telegram No. 1, Baghdad telegram No. 1, Jerusalem telegram No. 1.
( 8 )
Enclosure in Foreign Office covering letter, dated the 18th January 1938.
[E.-7587/351/65.]
Letter from Sir R. Bullard, to Mr. Eden.—(Received December 29),
(No. 177), dated the 29th December 1937.
Jedda, December 7, 1937.
It appears that certain Arabic newspapers in Egypt published a tale,
which has been reproduced in the Syrian and Iraqi press, alleging that Ibn
Saud, out of deference to the feelings of Great Britain, had refused to
allow a general Arab congress to be held in Mecca, and that if he persisted in
this refusal a congress would probably be held in some other Arab country.
I have the honour to inform you that the TJmm-al-Qura of the 3rd December
denies this report in an article, which is to the following effect: —
2 . This report is entirely without foundation. No application for such
a congress was ever made by any person or body of persons. It would not
be unreasonable to say that such an application was made and rejected
(though, in fact, nothing of the kind happened), but it is fantastic to sug
gest that the application could be rejected out of deference to the wishes
of the British. The rumour must have been intended to discourage and
divide the Arabs at the very moment when they feel the need for concord
and unity. Its author must know that the Government of His Majesty is
not a negligible force and that the person of His Majesty is the cen tre of
the circle of Arab countries and the symbol of Arab aims, and L1R5T conse^~
quently the dissemination of false news about Flis Majesty must profit the
enemies of the Arabs and of Islam. Every keen Arab and Moslem should
know the truth, that the King is not moved by caprice or covetousness; he is
the man of the Arabs, conscious of his racial and religious duty and devoting
himself and his possessions to the promotion of the truth and the faith. He
does not like self-advertisement or propaganda. He never embarks upon
any matter affecting the interests of Arabs or Moslem interests unless he is
sure that he will not have to draw back unsuccessful. He has experience
of the world and knows the harm of futile demonstrations. The Govern
ment and the people of Saudi Arabia naturally attach the greatest import
ance to the Palestine question, not from any personal ambition but because
it is an Arab and a Moslem question. It is fitting that an Arab Shara'
Moslem Government and a country where the divine inspiration was reveal
ed and Islam originated should take anxious thought for all matters affect
ing the Arabs and the Moslems in all the territories which they inhabit.
On the other hand it is fitting that the country which contains the two Holy
Sanctuaries and is based on piety and divine worship alone should be left to
itself in such matters and safeguarded from suspicion, so that the will of
God alone may be done.
3 . I am sending copies of this despatch to His Excellency the High Com
missioner for Palestine (No. 1728/384/476) and His Majesty’s representa
tives at Cairo and Bagdad (Nos. 1729/384/476 and 1730/384/476)
respectively.