Page 107 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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118. In Juno 1901 tlie Sheikh intimated that he was now favourable fo the
scheme. It was accordingly arranged that the mail steamers should call at
Koweit on the upward voyage from Bombay to Basrah. The quarantine offi­
cials at first imposed certain restrictions but their objections were not of as
serious a character as had been anticipated, and they were not maintained.*

XVI.—Tlireatened hostilities between the Sheikh of Koweit and the
Amir of Nejd.

August—November 1900.
119 Affairs at Koweit tended to bccomo further complicated by its connec­
tion with the disturbances in the interior of
Koj. 47 and 73 of Secret E-, February 1901, Nos.
U-lw7. Arabia. Sheikh Mubarak being awaro that
Abdul Aziz-bin-Rashid, the Amir of
Nejd, had espoused the cause of his enomy, the rebel Yusuf-bin-Ibrahim,
and his nephews, the sons of Mahomcd-bin-Sababa, was not likely to
neglect any opportunity which might ariso, whereby the authority and in­
fluence of the Amir might be weakened. Such an opportunity w'as at hand in
the person of Abdul Rahman-bin Fcysal of the Saud dynasty, the former
rulers at Riadh, who wero dispossessed by Mahomed-bin-Rashid, uncle of the
present Amir, in 18SG ; and now that his hands were strengthened by the
friendship of the British Government, 1*3 made up his mind to avail himself of
Ihe opportunity. Abdul Baliman-bin-Feysal had been living in Koweit under
Sheikh Mubarak’s protection for some years, and, it is said, was in receipt of
monthly allowances both from Sheikh Mubarak and the Turkish Government.
In August 1900, Abdul Rahman-bin-Fey sal is said to have received a letter
from bis adhoreuts in Nejd, expressing their readiness to espouse bis cause
should he make a move to recover his lost authority. Abdul Rahman accord­
ingly moved out of Koweit. It appears that ho soon gained some slight suc­
cesses over certain divisions of the Shammar tribes owiug allegiance to Abdul
Aziz Ibn Rashid and he then wrote to Sheikh Mubarak, asking him to send
him reinforcements. His request was complied with, and acting under Mubarak’s
directions, the Bedouin tribes owing him allegiance assembled to support
Abdul Rahman-biu-Feysal.
120. Early in October a report was received at Simla from Colonel Kemball
that raids had been made on Nejd territory by Sheikh Abdul Rahman-bin-
Feysal. In October 1900, it was reported that fighting seemed probable in t he
neighbourhood of Koweit, and it was proposed to send Colonel Kemball to
Koweit to report and to warn the Sheikh against action likely to cause inter­
ference by the Turks. Her Majesty’s Government approved of this proposal.
Colonel Kemball’s report dated 3rd November showed that Mubarak was
absent from Koweit when lie arrived, and that his son came olf to meet Colonel
Kernhall in a boat flying the Turkish flag. Colonel Kemball was, therefore,
unable to deliver the proposed warning. He learnt from him the facts narrated
above about Abdul Rahman’s and his father’s movements. About this time
another raid on Abdul Aziz’s people was made by Sadun, another friend of
Mubarak’s, and, to all appearances, as part of the latter’s general plan of cam­
paign. This Sadun Pasha (ho had received frMm the Sultan a rank bearing the
title of Pasha) was nephew of the late Nasir Pasha, formally Sheikh of the
Muntcfik Arabs, to whoso devotion to the Turkish cause was due the final sub­
mission of his tribes to the Sultan. He created the town of Nasriye, and died
Vali of Basrah. Sadun himsolf, was a confirmed rogue, and lived main­
ly by robbery. His last raid on Abdul Aziz’s tribes was a great success and
resulted in considerable booty. Followed by Abdul Aziz with a large
force, and worsted in an encounter which appears, however, to have bcon only
a petty skirmish, he retired with his men and most of his loot to Turkish terri­
tory.
• Tbo aubjcct will bo treated iu moro detail in tbo Prkit of Communicationt and rottal Arraugcwentt.