مجموعة ١٠/١٧(٣) "شؤون داخلية: الوضع السياسي؛ العلاقات مع الحكومة البريطانية" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٥] (٥١٣/٣٠٩)

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DISTRIBUTION B.
v
From 3AUDI-ARABIA.
U Decypher. Mr, StoneHrewer-Bird (Jedda).
30th December,
1940.
D.
11 a.m.
30th December,
1940.
R.
5.40 p.m.
31st December,
1940.
No. 315.
rrrrrrrrrrr
My immediately preceding telegram.
Following is summary of letter addressed hy Ibn‘ Saud
to Atorid Ali.
(1) M I recently took a step which I believe to be to the
interest of Arabs and of Iraq. I communicated my views on Iraq
to Kis Majesty’s Government. I have received their reply in
which they make certain complaints about present situation which
they regard as outcome of your activities. There are in my view
three aspects from which relations between British and Arabs must
be viewed:
(1) Britain is our friend and the friend of Iraq.
(2) The Arabs can expecr less evil and more good from
British than from any others.
(5) Control of all affairs -chat matter to the Arabs is in
the hands of the British.
(2)If above is admitted, it is the obvious duty of all
Arabs to act in closest possible co-operation with Britain.
I know from my experience of the British that they will make
no intolerable demands on Arabs. Only question of which we
not in full agreement with His Majesty’s Government is in the matter
of Palestine but in judging His Majesty’s Government’s policy
we must take the present circumstances into account and must remember
that the majority of British people favour peace. Jewish ^nflienoe
is great in America, of whose help Britain stands in need..
Once we are assured that no harm will befall the Arabs it is
our duty to handle the Palestine question with that.tact and
wisdom which it demands and by confidential discussions between
ourselves and Britain reach agreement when time and circumstances
permit. To achieve this end Arab countries just be governed
not by double-faced politicians but by men of judgment with
only their country’s true interest at heart.
(5) I have spoken frankly because the interests and
preservation of the honour of the country demand full agreement,
with Britain. People are too prone to be flattered by broadcast
statements/