Office of the Historian

890F.24/8–1444: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Egypt (Tuck)31

Washington, August 14, 1944—7 p.m.

2168. For AEMME. The Legation at Jidda reports that King Ibn Saud, in reply to joint American-British communication regarding the joint supply program for 1944, has stated that the program is insufficient, pointing out that Saudi Arabia has consumed deliveries made to date during 1944, as well as stocks on hand at first of the year. The King contends that deliveries during rest of 1944 should be larger than quantities received thus far, particularly in view of coming pilgrimage.

Department has informed British officials in Washington of these views of the King; that, in the absence of accurate statistical data to the contrary, we must accept the King’s statement that the quantities scheduled are insufficient to meet his country’s needs; that we infer therefrom that there is not being maintained at all times in Saudi Arabia a 3 months’ supply of tea, sugar and cereals as contemplated fundamentally in the program. It was pointed out that, if the King is right, there is grave danger of internal disorder and of an insufficiency of foodstuffs to feed the pilgrims unless additional supplies of tea, sugar and cereals are sent to Saudi Arabia. If, as a result of providing additional supplies as a precautionary measure, it should transpire that too much is shipped during 1944, an adjustment can be [Page 728] made in 1945 upon the compilation of more complete statistical information. The British officials were asked, therefore, to request the Foreign Office to instruct British MESC officials in Cairo to cooperate with American officials there to arrange for the shipment of sufficient quantities of tea, sugar and cereals to realize the fundamental aim of the program, that is, to maintain a 3 months’ supply of these commodities at all times. As soon as British officials in Cairo have received instructions to this effect, AEMME should, in cooperation with them, arrange for the expeditious and continuing shipment to Saudi Arabia of sufficient quantities of these commodities to implement this fundamental principle embodied in the program.

Hull

  1. Repeated in telegram 158, August 14, 7 p.m., to the Minister Resident in Saudi Arabia, with instructions as follows:

    “You should arrange to have King Ibn Saud informed immediately that this Government has informed the British Government that it appears from his reply to the joint communication that the quantities programmed appear to be insufficient to provide for the maintenance of a 3 months’ supply at all times in Saudi Arabia of tea, sugar and cereals and that as soon as the British Government issues appropriate instructions to its officials, this Government, in conjunction with the British Government, win arrange for the expeditious shipment to Saudi Arabia of sufficient additional quantities of these commodities to achieve the basic aim of the joint supply program.

    You should inform your British colleague that you are conveying to King Ibn Saud a message to this effect.” (890F.24/8–644)

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