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End of January 1903.—307. Ilm Rashid was at Ilafcr threatening Koweit.
Slicikh Mubarak was at Johara preparing to defend himself.
3rd March 1903,—30S. I bn Sand arrived in the suburbs of Koweit and cn-
Rndoaarol, Tro. No. co, Secret t\. April looj, camped at Arifieh five miles distant from
Noi. 23<70. Koweit.
4th March 1903.—300. Ibn Saud accompanied by his brother Mahomed
and 100 sowars, came to Koweit and visited Sheikh Mubarak. They proposed
to stay at Koweit until Bakv-ld, and thereafter fight Ibn Rashid, who appears
to have been at the time in the suburbs of Kasim, rathor weakened by the
desertion of many of tho tribes to the side of Abdul Aziz. Abdul Rahman,
father of Abdul Aziz, was settled at Riadh. Sheikh Jabcr, son of Sheikh Muba­
rak, was at Jehara with troops, while Mubarak was at Koweit.
5th to 7th March 1903.—310. The Russian cruiser Boyar In and tho French
K... 69-70 Of s«r,t k.. April ioo3. N.,.. 23-70, CTuisi'r Infenust arrived at Koweit on
and also Enclosure 2, Proceedings No. 14* of Socrct 5th March with tllO Russian Consul,
K.. January 1904, Nob. 140-205.
Bushire. The Consul paid visits to Sheikh
Mubarak and Abdul Aziz on Gth. Commander Kemp (of the Sphinx) also
arrived at Koweit on Gth and visited both. Abdul Aziz mentioned to him that
the Russiau Consul offered him assistance in the shape of money and rifics.
311. It was pointed out to Ibn Saud how undesirable it was that foreign
European countries should interfere in tho affairs of Nojd, and how inadvisable
it would be for him to accept any offer from the Russians, especially when the
British Government was the predominant power in the Persian Gulf and in­
tended to remain so. Ibn Saud promised to report what Commander Kemp
had said to his father, but pointed that Ibn Rashid received money and support
from tho Turks, and that it was necessary for him to have money to retain
the support of the Arab tribes.
312. Sheikh Mubarak sounded Commander Kemp as to the possibility of tho
British aiding Ibn Saud with money. The Commander could not ascertain
as to what passed between the Sheikh and the Russian Consul, lie thought
it probable that some attempt had been made at an understanding with tho
Sheikh, but the latter had not responded to the advances On the 7th, tho
Consul paid a second visit to both the Sheikh and Ibn Saud and presented
the former with two guns and a revolver, and the latter with one gun (Muuser).
About middle of March 1903.—313. Ibn
No. 319 0£ Scent E , Juno 1903, Not. 307-335.
Rashid made an attempt to capture
Riadh,. but was repulsed with heavy loss.
May; 1903.—311. Mubarak attacked the Beni Jwala and captured 800
camels from them at Khamissiye near Ghabishiye (10 hours from Zoboir). His
malcontent relativo M.ubarak-cl-Athabi of Zobcir, who accompanied tho Beni
Jwala escaped.
June and July 1903.—315. Certain Sheikhs of Ancyza, who were expelled
by Ibn Rashid when ho occupied the dis­
No. 196, Scent E., January 1904, No*. 140 205.
trict, took refuge with Mubarak at Koweit.
In the early part of July Mubarak sent an emissary, named Abd-cl-Ali, to
Ancyza to confer with the notables. He proposed to reinstate their former
Sheikhs, and informed them that he would employ force if they resisted. Tho
notables agreed, and Abd-cl-Ali then proceeded to Shaggera to see Abdul Aziz-
bin-Saud, who had collected a number of the tribesmen round Riadh aud proposed
to attack Boreyda. Ibn Rashid and Yusuf el Ibrahim were said to be at
Borcyda, and were constructing a fort. The former Sheikhs of Ancyza were
lcaviug Koweit en route for lbu Saud’s head-quarters, aud would* join him
iu the expedition.
310. The Amir’s forco was muoli wcakonod by repeated repulses and unsuc­
cessful forays, and it was not believed that ho could offer serious resistance. A
convoy of arms despatched to Yusuf-ol-Ibrahim from Katar had been intercepted
by Mahomed, brother of Abdul Aziz-bin-Saud at Sirr, some two days* distance
from Borcyda. Ho captured .0 loads. In the middlo of June the same Maho­
med proooeded from lliadli to within a day’s distanco of Borcyda aud plundered
tho Bedouins belonging to Ibn Rashid.