مجموعة ٦/٨٠ "الحدود الجنوبية والجنوبية الغربية للسعودية" [و‎‎٤‎٨] (١٤٠/٩٥)

on existing maps) is well inside the Protectorate "both
tribally and geographically, while Al f Abr (which is
on the main route from Najran to the Hadhramaut) is
also well within the violet line and is in the territory
of the Ahl Sei’ar (Sir Bernard Reilly’s Secret telegram
No:20 of 19th March 1936 and Mr* Ingrams* report -
Chapters I and XIX)*
I have no reason to doubt the truth of the
statements made to me which were given by responsible
and reliable persons*
5* Mr. Philby also spread abroad that Ibn Sa’ud
’’intended to make a road for motor traffic from Mecca
to the Hadhramaut”, as already reported* I have not
the opportunity in this despatch to comment on the
advantages of such a road being constructed. But were
such a scheme to be considered it would be a matter for
His Majesty’s Government to discuss with the Sa’udi
Government, and for Mr* Philby to proclaim that Ibn
Sa’ud ’’intends” to make the road, as if the country
immediately to the West of the Hadhramaut was Sa’udi
territory and not part of the Aden Protectorate, is
gross impertinence*
6* I do not think that much attention was paid
to Mr* Philby’s Sa’udi propaganda by those who really
count in the Hadhramaut and Qu’aiti territory and possibly
the visit of the Air Officer Commanding and myself with
five aircraft immediately after Mr* Philby’s visit
counteracted to a certain extent its effects. But
there is always a faction in most comnunities who are
anti-Government and an easy prey for foreign intriguers
and the Hadhramaut is no exception, added to which there