Page 190 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

6 REVIEW BY THE POLITICAL RESIDENT IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

Nejd affairs pursue the usual if not very even tcnour of their way. They have
not been much in evidence, and it will be seen that Bin Saood continues to
N .. Aff. maintain his predominant position, while
J ’ the Bin Rashid clan seems to be drifting
towards extinction. The Porte, with its hands full elsewhere, would appear to
have momentarily ceased from pulling the strings of strife in Central Arabia and
to have left the Wahabi leader to his own devices for the present ; but the
imminent arrival of the Hedjaz railhead at Medina is |an epoch-making event
which cannot fail to effect the situation, and facilitate the extension of the effective
influence of the Porte in the Arabian peninsula.
P. Z. COX, Major,

Political Resident in the Persian Gulf*

0. C. B. p., Simla.—Noi C. 398 F. D.-io«ioo8-fl5-H. A. W.