Page 884 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

882

1934

Wednesday 14th [March]

The Shaikh called on the Resident at the Agency, usual thing, only polite remarks, no conversation of any
importance. Then he came over here with Abdulla & they stayed some time. Busy morning, saw a lot of
people in the office. Went up to the Fort in the afternoon, very cloudy & a little rain. Discussed the idea
of a route march for the Police to be done after the Eid which is in about ten days. Called on the DGs and
stayed on to dinner "pot luck". Came back quite early.

Thursday [15th March]

Rain all day, at times very heavy, very cold & damp. Didn't go to Fort. Ali bin Hussein came to see me.
Called on the Holmes in evening. He told me that the men out at the camp were all very angry about
Skinner & the Minister. S told them to address him as "Your Excellency" & Ernest Smith told S what he
thought about it. When S did take the Minister out there he didn't introduce any of the men. Long article
in Cairo papers (Arabic) about me, very anti-English though not personally uncomplimentary.

Friday 16th [March]

Some rain in the morning. Wrote letters in morning & went to tea at the Agency, too wet for tennis,
hardly anyone went there.