Page 714 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1011. Ill
«o far continued, contrary to expectation, and no doubt saved his southern
and eastern boundaries from being ravaged.
“ Bin Saud's ” Raids.—M Bin Saud ” successfully raided the Safran,
Suleiman sections of the Ajman tribe and a section of too Dawosir in Febru­
ary at Hamara, two days’ distance from Hasa.
The Tha’an, pin Diblan, Uth-Dhainir and Mahfuth sections of the
Ajman tribe were raidod by Abdul Aziz “ Bin Saud ” in May at Jaf near
jjasa together with a number of Dawasir and Al-Morrah tribesmen camped
with them.
At about the same time he also marched against the people of Regeijha
close to Hasa, but the latter on hearing of the raid collected in the fort, closed
the gates, and begged protection from the Mutasarif of Hasa, promising to
pay anything that might be arranged. “ Bin Saud ” demanded that all the
property of his people looted before should be returned to him, that all people
of other than the Ajman tribe should leave Hasa and its environs for their
own districts and that he should be permitted to build a fort at Regeijha.
The Mutasarif interviewed and treated “Bin Saud” with much respect,
promising to accede to his wishes. “ Bin Saud ” also demanded from the
Ajman tribesmen at Regeijha, 3,000 camels and the surrender of 30 men for
punishment or in lieu of the men blood-money at 800 in cash a head.
The Ajman tribesmen repudiated these terms and having persuaded
the Mutasarif’s men in charge of the fort to take their part opened
fire against “ Bin Saud.” The latter, without retaliating, complained to the
I'utasarif who, whilst regretting the action of his soldiers, agreed to impri­
son or punish the men in fault. “ Bin Saud ” then pardoned them with the
exception of Fahad bin Hithlain. one of the Shaikhs of the Ajman, and
Kkomeis, Shaikh of the Safran, who were to be kept prisoners until his
demands were complied with. On the Mutasarif complying, “ Bin Saud v
burnt all the tents and houses at Regeijha.
About the end of September it was reported that the Beni Abdulla,
a distant section of the Umtair tribe who usually pay “ Zikat ” to “ Bin Saud,”
being camped with the Karb tribe south of Hail had paid their annual quota
to Ibn Rashid’s Zikat collectors. Negotiations between “ Bin Saud ” and
Ibn Rashid bore no fruit and about the end of October news was received
that “ Bin Saud ” with a large force of the Ataibah tribe had successfully
raided the Beni Abdulla and Harb tribes between Nejd and Medina. How­
ever, the Ataibah tribe, taking advantage of their superior force, decamped
with the whole of the loot, leaving nothing for “ Bin Saud.” A certain
amount was subsequently returned, but “ Bin Saud ” is not on good terms with
this tribe and raids against it are contemplated.
> “ Bin Saud ” and the Shariff of Mecca.—The Shariff of Mecca has taken
no serious steps to enforce the terms of the document regarding Kasim, which
be extorted from “ Bin Saud ” last year and, powerless as he is, it is doubtful
whether he will ever be able to press actively for " Bin Saud’s ” compliance
with them, except by correspondence.
The Shariff addressed Shaikh Mubarak on the subject and was accorded
the usual polite reply that Kasim was beyond Mubarak’s province and he
°wild not interfere in “ Bin Saud’s ” affairs.
The “ Arai’/.”—During the year the “ Araif ” have not made themselves
conspicuous by any raiding or other operations. They have been sheltering
^ith the Shariff of Mecca and intrigues will doubtless continue. “ Bin
baud ” at the close of the year was reported to be marching westwards with
a force of the Umtair, Sabai* aiid Sagool tribes to attack the “ Araif "
the son of the Shariff of Mecca who were said to be to the north of
^iedina with the Ateyba Bedouin.
ff asa.—In the month of May news came of a fight between the Bahrainis
of Safwa and the Bani Khalid and Sabia tribes resulting in a loss of 40 men
m on 8^e °* Bahrainis. The reason of the fight was said to be aa
°id dispute and frequent dissensions between the Bedouin and Bahrainis.
v The Anizah Tribe.—In April it was reported that the Rowalla Anixah
raided Ibn Rashid’s people in the vicinity of Jaf.