39011163 Christian and Missionary
Alliance/1
The Chargé in Egypt (Winship) to the
Secretary of State
Cairo, January 5,
1928.
[Received February 3.]
No. 153Sir: I have the honor to enclose herewith an
original letter in Arabic, with translation, addressed to this Legation
by the Department for Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Hedjaz
and Nejd, calling attention to the danger to travelers entering that
country without permits.
This letter has been acknowledged, and I am also bringing the facts
contained therein to the attention of the Consular officers in Egypt,
Palestine, and Syria.
I have [etc.]
The Director of Foreign
Affairs of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd to the
American Minister in
Egypt
December 18,
1927.
No. Kh./24/1Excellency: In view of the fact that you
are the nearest American authority to the Hedjaz, I have the honor
to submit the following to Your Excellency:
- 1.
- During the month of May, last, it came to the attention of
my Government that an American citizen by the name of Mr. G.
W. Bradin,1a bearing American passport No. 162896,
crossed the Hedjaz-Najd frontiers, from the direction of
Transjordan, in a motor-car and proceeded to the interior of
the Hedjaz and Najd whence he arrived at Tima. His aim in
this dangerous venture being the preaching of the Bible and
the call to Christianity among the tribes of the Hedjaz and
Najd. The Hedjaz local authorities arrested the person in
question and sent him back, under guard to Maan. The
Government of His Majesty, my King, then wrote to the
British High Commissioner in Palestine and requested him to
take the necessary steps
[Page 63]
in order to prevent foreigners, not
possessing special permits from His Majesty’s Government,
from crossing the frontiers, this being for their safety and
for the protection of their lives which would be in great
danger should they travel among the tribes without having
official permits. This case was not reported by His
Majesty’s Government to you nor to any other American
authority as it was believed that the measures which the
Palestine Government seemed disposed to take would suffice
to keep adventurous persons informed of the great danger
which might befall them and would prevent them from crossing
the frontiers.
- 2.
- Last November, it also came to the knowledge of the Hedjaz
Government that two foreigners had crossed the frontier from
the direction of El-Akaba and that they had arrived by camel
at El-Khrieba—one of the local administrative centers. Upon
investigation it was ascertained that the two persons were
Mr. G. W. Bradin, bearer of American passport No. 162896,
and Mr. W. H. F. Samoulli,2 bearer of American passport
No. 436594. It is clear that one of them, Mr. Bradin, is the
person connected with the case of last May. These two
persons almost met their death as victims of their unwise
and rash attempt at the hands of the tribes whose members
dislike to find any foreigner doing missionary work among
them. However, measures taken by the local Government saved
their lives. They were sent under guard to Jedda where they
were made clearly to understand the grave danger they would
have to face should they attempt a repetition of their
previous action and thereupon they were deported from the
country. A notation was made on their passports to the
effect that they are not to return to the land of Hedjaz and
Najd.
- 3.
- No doubt you are aware of the holiness of the Hedjaz and
the position it holds in the sight of the Mohammedan world.
You are also aware that religious precepts and Islamic
injunction forbid the existence of two religions in the
Arabian desert. No Government can but observe these two
considerations and other important considerations connected
with the safety of the country. In view of the above His
Majesty’s Government cannot in any way allow the sacred land
of Hedjaz to be a field for the spreading of Christian
teaching among the Tribes. Moreover, the Government cannot
assume any responsibility in respect of the fate which might
befall venturesome missionaries who enter the country
without the knowledge and permission of the Hedjaz
Government. The British High Commissioner in Palestine has
been informed to this effect and has been requested to take
the necessary steps to that end.
- 4.
- Without doubt Your Excellency will be interested in this
matter and give it the proper consideration because of the
great danger
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which
your citizens would have to face by reason of such un wise
actions. I write this letter to Your Excellency to beg you
to inform your citizens who might be residing near the
Hedjaz-Najd frontiers of the decision of His Majesty’s
Government, which forbids missionaries from working in the
sacred lands of the Hedjaz, and of the great dangers which
they may face if they should attempt to cross the frontiers
without the necessary official Government permit. I hope
Your Excellency will give the matter your
consideration.
Please accept [etc.]
Abdullah el
Damloojy
Director of Foreign
Affairs 