890F.24/63: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Kirk)
1703. The following is a paraphrase of a telegram from London which is repeated for your information with reference to Department’s 1616, October 27, 11 a.m.
“General Grain sent a telegram to General Burns5 of the War Department in Washington on the 25th of October in which he referred to the Department’s telegram 66196 and in which he reported that up to the date of that telegram Britain had provided King Ibn Saud with 2500 rifles, 225 machine guns and 50 obsolete reconnaissance cars. It was stated further by General Crain that according to instructions issued to him on the 9th of October he had asked the British Government to hold up the furnishing of any more equipment until he received further instructions. General Crain then proceeded to outline for the consideration of the War Department a suggestion made by the British to the effect that additional equipment which may be furnished would be supplied by the United States and by Britain on about an equal basis.”
The Department has indicated to the War Department its concurrence in the suggestion that further equipment be supplied about equally by United States and Britain.
General Royce has been authorized by the War Department to include among the members of the proposed military mission to Saudi Arabia to investigate lend-lease military requirements a radio technician to determine what new parts are needed to maintain existing Saudi Arabian Government radio stations in operation. With explanations as to the difficulty of securing complete radio units, this matter was discussed in Washington with Amir Faisal,7 who expressed the opinion that his Government would cooperate fully with such a technician and allow him access to all stations and equipment. After consultation with General Royce, arrangements for this should be made through the Legation at Jidda.
With reference to Department’s 92, October 23 to Jidda,8 please repeat foregoing to Jidda.