890F.24/164: Telegram
The Minister Resident in Saudi Arabia (Moose) to the Secretary of State
[Received May 2—10:41 p.m.]
135. After recent conversations with King Ibn Saud his Ministers drew up memorandum of parts of conversations regarding finance, supply and transportation which King agreed should be divulged to the British authorities and summary thereof is embodied in my 134, April 28 [29], 10 p.m.
He requested that further discussion reported in this message not be mentioned to British until plans for increased United States help to Saudi Arabia have taken definite shape.
In advising King of substance of Department’s 58 April 13, 7 p.m. no mention was made of bank. King was informed over 6 months ago of willingness of United States to assist in establishment of central banking institution and it is believed that next move should be definite proposal.
King recalled long friendship between British and himself and expressed gratitude for their help. At present, however, British did not seem able to help to extent of Saudi Arabia’s needs. King went into details of decrease in recent British aid adding that no agreement for 1944 had been reached and that during July British would review supply situation for last 5 months of year.
He stated that British withheld 1943 pilgrimage tariff items, but when pressed, offered to arrange loan of half million pounds sterling to Saudi Arabia on security of revenues of next pilgrimage. King refused.
King would welcome additional aid from USA. He had instructed his Ministers to prepare statement of over-all Saudi annual requirements to be delivered to me. Statement of extent of British commitment would be delivered as soon as received. King expected such statement after few days when Jordan returns to Riyadh for General Paget’s visit.
King said British would continue to be his friends because he is grateful for past aid and because he fears they might loose their restraint on his enemies, such as the Hashemite89 family. But, he continued, their present policy would ruin his country. His people are sorely tried by wartime conditions and progressive desiccation of [Page 696] Arabia. If his bounty to poor is curtailed blame will be attributed to British and German radio propaganda will, in public mind, be confirmed or alternatively King will be blamed with consequent weakening of his authority. Therefore additional aid from friendly United States of America would be most welcome. He remarked that one day it might be necessary for Saudi Arabia to look to United States of America for all its requirements.
Two lists of Saudi over-all annual requirements were supplied by King’s Ministers, but they add little to budget figures. They include 3,000 tons cotton goods, 9,000 tons sugar, 66,000 tons cereals, 25,000,000 silver riyals, 500,000 gold sovereigns, 640 motor vehicles, 10,000 tires, agricultural machinery, medicines.
Further details by mail.91
- The family of Hussein, Sherif of Mecca and guardian of the Moslem holy places in the Hejaz, who, in alliance with the British, led the Arab revolt during World War I which led to the detachment of the Arab lands of the Ottoman Empire from Turkish sovereignty. Sons of Hussein founded dynasties in Iraq and Transjordan.↩
- Despatch 169, May 2, not printed.↩