'ملف رقم 19/109 VI (C 45) العلاقات البحرينية مع القوى الأجنبية الأخرى' [و‎‎٢‎٩] (٥٢٠/٧٤)

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a further claim were to be made, it should be submitted to the Air Ministrv to be
dealt with in consultation with the Foreign Office.
TdhiciVj tt Route. The question was raised in February whether a
renewed effort should be made this year to obtain Ibn Sa'ud's consent to British
aircraft flying over the Hasa Coast. (See report for July-August, Section 24.) The
Legation was informed towards the end of February that the project of pearling
flights between Bahrain and Iracj had been dropped. His Majesty's Government
were, however, anxious to secure general facilities for the use of the El-Hasa route
by British air-craft, whether military or civil. His Majesty's Minister was given
discretion as to how much should be asked for in the first instance and as to how and
when the matter should be broached. The objective was, not to recjuest general
permission to fly over Nejd territory, but to ensure that any air-craft compelled to
•enter or alight therein, should receive general assistance and good treatment;
that no objection should be raised to the despatch of assistance by air, if necessary ;
and that the pilots should have knowledge of the position of landing grounds
between Koweit and Bahrain, of which there should preferably be three to be spaced
a,t intervals of about 60 miles and to be chosen, if possible, in consultation with the
Air Officer Commanding in Iraq. These instructions were issued on Februarv
26th.
V.—M ilitary M atters.
46. General. —There is nothing definite to record about military movements-
Reference has been made in paragraph 29 to alleged despatches of forces to Asir-
The King would appear to have brought back a good many Nejdi fighting men on
his return from Biadh to Mecca. Their prowess as dancers has been described in
paragraph 9.
47. New Regular Army. —The organization of a regular army in the Hejaz,
though very embryonic, has made some progress. The Director of Military Orga
nization mentioned in Section 26 of the September-November report gave place
shortly after his appointment to another Syrian ex-Turkish Officer, German
trained, named Faudhi-al-Kowokji, This officer fought against the French during
the Syrian revolt and came to the Hejaz as a refugee. The results of his efforts
to create a regular army were seen at a review in Jedda on the King's Accession
Day. The march past consisted of two detachments of infantry, about 600 men
in all, reasonably workmanlike and disciplined ; pack animals with various equip
ment and about 100 men in charge ; two armoured cars ; a disorderly route of less
than 40 horsemen posing as " cavalry " ; and a much more impressive camel corps
of from 300 to 400 men. Although the army is being organized in the Hejaz,
most of the men in it appear to be Nejdis. The Bedouin review on February 27th
(paragraph 9) began with a small turn out of regular infantrymen. These after
performing their European evolutions ; ought and obtained the King's permission
to take part in the war-dance. Faudhi Bey seems to be a man of intelligence and
initiative. He told Sir A. Ryan in February that he intended to start a school
lor N. C. Os. This is probably sensible as trained ex-Turkish Officers
are available for present requirements in the higher ranks. It appeared from
Faudhi Bey's conversation that the King's ultimate ideal is to have a regular army
for the whole of his dominions.
VI.—N aval M atters.
48. British. —The Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea Sloops, arrived in Jeddah
on February 13 in H.M.S. " Lupin/' and stayed three days. The opportunity was
taken of discussing with Captain Dicken various matters of naval interest includ
ing the following:—
(а) Restrictions if any to be placed on searches for arms in Hejazi territorial
waters and in dhows of Hejazi nationality outside them. (July-
August Report, Section 34.)
(б) Possibility of more frequent visits to Jedda and of reviving the practice
of visiting other ports.
(c; Naval salutes for Hejazi dignitaries. A practically complete measure
of personal agreement was reached on these subjects, but, as final
decisions have still to be taken at home, any further account of them
is deferred owing to considerations of space.