Office of the Historian

890F.24/10–1644

The Minister in Saudi Arabia (Eddy) to the Secretary of State

No. 24
Jidda, October 16, 1944.
[Received October 23.]

Sir: I have the honor to refer to my Despatch No. 13 of September 20, 1944,65 which transmitted a copy of the joint communication to [Page 746] King Abdul Aziz al Saud, made by my British colleague and myself, in accordance with instructions from the Department (telegram No. 177, September 12, 5 p.m.).

I now have the honor to transmit a translation of the reply from King Abdul Aziz al Saud, handed to my British colleague and myself simultaneously by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, October 15, 1944. Although this reply states that the Minister of Finance has been ordered by the King to amplify the King’s reply, when queried yesterday, the Minister of Finance said he had no further comments to add. It is possible that the statement in the King’s letter refers to details of the supply program which the Finance Minister has orders to discuss with the Jidda committee of the Middle East Supply Center rather than with the British and American Ministers.

Respectfully yours,

William A. Eddy
[Enclosure—Translation]

The King of Saudi Arabia (Ibn Saud) to the American Minister (Eddy)67

We have received with pleasure Your Excellencies’ joint letter, dated September 18, 1944,68 by which you transmitted to us the decision of the two friendly governments, Great Britain and the United States of America, concerning their help to us in supply matters for our country, and their joint agreement to increase the quantity of cereals, which has been decided as a supply to this country, from 40,000 tons to 50,000 tons. We are sincerely thankful for the two friendly governments for their endeavor in assisting us and appreciate their nice attention and fine help for our country. We have already ordered our Minister of Finance, Abdullah Suleiman, to state the remarks we have regarding this matter.

Accept our highest regards.

Written on Shawal 14, 1363 (October 2, 1944).
  1. Not printed.↩
  2. Sent also to the British Chargé in Saudi Arabia (Ellison).↩
  3. See telegram 177, September 12, 5 p.m., to Jidda, p. 739.↩