39011163 Christian and Missionary Alliance/1

The Chargé in Egypt ( Winship ) to the Secretary of State

No. 153

Sir: 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.]

North Winship
[Enclosure—Translation1]

The Director of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd to the American Minister in Egypt

No. Kh./24/1

Excellency: 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 [Page 64] 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
  1. Revised translation supplied by the Government of Saudi Arabia, February 22, 1942 (026 Foreign Relations/1598).
  2. Rev. George W. Breaden.
  3. Rev. William F. Smalley.