Page 41 - Arabian Studies (II)

Memories and Impressions of the Arabia of Ibn Sand 31

was some advantage to the Muslims in it. Then, taking courage from
their predecessors speaking in this way, one after the other, the
Ulema spoke and it was finally agreed that there was no harm in
declaring war on the side of the Allies.
In this connection I would mention his way of dealing with the
objections of the Ikhwan to his behaviour in the Hijaz and his
assumption of the title of King. There is an account of it in my book
on his son Fai$al and quotation of his truly remarkable speech to
them (pp. 58—9) as given in Umm al-Qura* the Meccan newspaper,
where it is quoted in full.

Supplies
In spite of a branch of the Middle East Supply Centre being
established in Jedda and numerous visits by its staff being permitted
about the country, it has to be admitted how bad the supply
situation remained, how very expensive such things as clothes were,
and food too. I saw how the people of Najd were in rags and, in the
case of bedouin boys, worse that that: many up to the age of twelve
or so were quite naked. It was, however, much the same story as in
southern Italy at the end of the war, had they known.

Ptinces Faisal and Khalid, under Bomb Fire in London
In spite of these difficulties the King’s sons, Fai$al and Khalid, had
been in England during the VI and V2 bombing. I was with them
when, returning from seeing our bombers leave for Berlin, we were
brought to a halt by our motor-cycle escort because a bomb had
exploded only a short distance off the road and they, the Princes,
were asked if they would like to take refuge in a nearby shelter. They
refused at once. Doubtless they told Ibn Saud about this and about
the state of bombed London and many other things about their tour,
which had began in the U.S.A.

As the Ruler of Mecca

In conclusion I think Ibn Saud’s very special position should be
stressed. The Ruler of Mecca takes care to be present at the annual
Pilgrimage, meets as many as possible of the 150,000 or so pilgrims,
all the more important at banquets he gives for them, addresses a

*Umm al-Qura, Mecca, 10 May 1927, No. 126.