ABSTRACT
In January 1918 D. G. Hogarth went expressly to Jedda to give King Husain an explicit assurance on behalf of the British Government that the Jewish settlement in Palestine would only be allowed in so far as it was compatible with ‘the political and economic freedom’ of the Arab population. As time went on the Arab nations grew increasingly alarmed at the turn of events in Palestine and Ibn Sa‘ud naturally followed the situation very closely. As, however, England was responsible for the administration of Palestine he did not openly criticize the Zionist experiment started under her protection. Ibn Sa‘ud had no confidence in the Arab League as an effective force and must have been disturbed when he saw the storm-clouds gather over Palestine. Ibn Sa‘ud returned to Jedda visibly relieved of the forebodings he had over Palestine. The population of the town went out to meet him and a great reception took place near the harbour.
