Page 552 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

16 ADUINI5TRA770N REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POL1TIOAX

The reigning "Ibn Rasbecd" is said to bo now about fifty years old and vigorous. He
has the misfortune, for such it is accounted, to be childless, but ho is on the beat terms with
his able cousin Hamood Ibn Obejd and that branch of tho family, and Hamood is at present
the most likely successor.
The Government of Mohammed Ibn Rnsheed is firm and popular; his subjects boast of it
as the best in the world. Ho may bo reproached by enemies os tho slayer of his kin, but by the
majority of the townspeople he is respected and feared, end the security and prosperity enjoyed
under his rule is certainly appreciated.
As to foreign policy Mohammed Ibn Rosheed has hitherto shown tho same prudence and
circumspection as his predecessors. His neighbours are the Turks on one side, and the Ibn
Su'ood princes on the other. After years of fit-ful warfare Ibn Rasheed has crushed his
"Wahhibi rivals and established his supremacy over El.'Axed. Tho slaughter of tho sons of Su'ood
in Khorj last year is recounted in another place, and the partizans of the Al-Su'ood appear to
be utterly crushed.
Ibn Rarbecd is fully tware bow necessary it is to " tr.enagcr” the Turkish Government,
and some Kmblince of recognition of the suzerainty of that power is accorded, but tho small
tribute paid to the Gbcrcof of Medina may be regarded as having more a religious than a
political riguiiicanee.
At tbs prerent time Ibn Rcchccd wields paramount power from the confines of Syria to
LI-Ecca, which is the rerEcuce cf a Tarkish Governor. An Agent of his resides at Riddh, and
i? virtually the Governor, but, with the caution of his race, Ibn Rushecd has not wboDy
dirmirr-a the \7ahhil i femily frern the ccene. Perhaps out of gratitude for former aid, perhaps
from ether motives, Ahiilh.h-lln-Feysal is still honored by Ibn Rashesd with the title of
Irci'.m, that is to say, religious head or the I7ahhabi sect of Mobammeduns. It may be regarded
as alzncrt certain that Ita E.-chced will not undertake any important enterprize without full
deliberation or without making sure of the approval of the Sublime Porte.
E. C. ROSS, Colonel,
Political Resident, Persian Gulf.