Page 879 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

877

1934

Wednesday 7th [March]

Loch is very agitated about the visit of the American Minister in Iraq who arrived last night with son &
secretary & is staying with the Skinners. He, as usual, suspects all sorts of political wickedness & is
prepared to confront him with the old treaty if he assumes any sort of ministerial rights. Late last night he
sent a message to the Shaikh asking him to come to meet Loch in my house, where Loch though a
meeting would be less remarked. It is all very comic & rather like stage diplomacy! Abdulla came in to
see me & the Shaikh came by appointment. The Shaikh was not very interested in the matter of the
minister and Abdulla was obviously amused by it all. There is a question about an aeroplane belonging to
the oil coy coming here and the minister may try to get the Shaikh to agree. Personally I don't think it
would do much harm, but there are arguments against it & the Brit Govt seems to dislike the idea. Loch,
when he considers a matter is of extra importance speaks in almost a whisper which the Shaikh finds so
hard to understand. Abdulla & the Shaikh stayed for some time after Loch left. Gardened in the
afternoon & then went to the Bank where they were having Bridge & the Minister came with the
Skinners, a portly person wearing spats, looked like a businessman not at all the diplomatic style. Mrs
Skinner introduced him as "His Excellency" which I thought was incorrect. DG simply fawned on him
& Mrs DG & Mrs Steele & Mrs Ham stood up when he got up or moved as if he was royalty. Very bad
Bridge as I played with Mrs Ham's aunt. She also was obviously thrilled by "His Excellency". All very
comic. He wants to go over & see Ibn Saoud but I gather Ibn Saoud is not over keen and has not yet
replied. He has a mission to Muscat to celebrate 100th anniversary of the Muscat American treaty.