Page 219 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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uuch ns nrc necessary for disembarking troops and the stores for expedition, and that
wo hopo disembarkation may not occur at places other than whoro it has alroady com­
menced. This is most desirable for securing1 matilimc peace. Any question connected
with political position of States and tribes can only be discussed between Her Majesty's
Government and Ministers of the Porto. It appears to Viceroy that it is understood
botweon tho British and Turkish Governments that the position which tho British Govern­
ment has long held in tho Gulf is nob in any way to bo affected by expedition against
Nejd."
Narrative of events in Nejd up to date of landing of the
Expedition.

80. The position of affairs in Nejd when the Turkish expedition was first
proposed has already been briefly noticed in paragraph 61. Colonel Herbert's
despatches of the 2 lth aud 2’Jth March to tho Ambassador at Constantinople
contain a moro detailed account of the
Soorot n., 1871, Nos. 114-120 (No. 117). state of parties at tho time. In tho former
letter he writes—
° It is said that tho mass of the people have joined Saood, and that he is master of the
country; while Abdoollah is reported to bo a refugee somewhere to the north of the Jibil
Shamar [tho exact locality is not stated] with his uuclo Abdoollah-ibn-Toorki, his son Toorki,
and a handful of followers.
“ It does not appear that any further battle has taken place,
“ After the successes of Saood, as reported in my letter abovo mentioned,* tho garrisons of
• This allusion is to a prorioui lottor of Colonol fcke two forts of El-Hasa and of that of Kateef
Herbert’is dated 20th Fobruarjr 1871, No. C, to tho gave up to him these places with all the treasure
Ambassador at tho Porto. contained in them.
“ Abdoollah, after his flight from Riadh, was heard of as encamped at a place called Ticb-
ism, about 150 miles south-west from Sook-ons-Sheookh on the Euphrates, with a force of
about the same numerical strength as that of his brother, composed of Arahs of the tribes of
the Shammar, Anczah, and El Ivnhtan ; but this gathering appears to have had no adhesion,
and to have melted away, the Arabs all going over to Saood, and consequently Abdoollah
was obliged again to fly.
“ It is reported that Bunder-ibn-Uasliid, Sheik, of the Jibil Shammar, has made his sub­
mission to Saood, sending him, in chargo of his brother, an offering of 20 mares, and that ho
has becu summoned to attend in person.
u Sheikh Fcysul left two brothers, Abdoollah-ibn-Toorki, above mentioned, and Juloo-
ibn-Toorki.
** The former, as reported, is with Abdoollah, the latter is in Riadh j but be has sent his
son Saood to join tho new Chief, and holds Riadh in his name.
u Abdool Rehman, the fourth son of Fcysul, is reported to have joined his brother Saood at
El-IIasa, as also Mahboob, the former Minister of Fcysul, and all the principal persons of tho
place.
“ It is said that, on Abdoollah applying for aid to tho Sherccf of Mecca, tho - latter wrote
to Bander-il>n-Rashid and to Sheikh Zamil, Chief of Anezah in iiaseem, to join and support
him; but both excused themselves.
u Sheikh Zamil, having in former years suffered much from tho oppression of Feysul
and his sons, Abdoollah and Mahomed, particularly in the prolonged siege of his native city
and the slaughter of many of the inhabitants about eight years ago, is unlikely to permit to
pass the opportunity of supporting tho cause of a Chief from whom he may reasonably hope
tor more generous treatment.
•' Saood is stated further to havo nominated a friend of his own, Hassan-ibn-Abd-ool
Mohscn, whose family has suffered terribly at tho hands of Abdoollah, as Sheikh of his nativo
city of Baveida in Kaseera in tho room of Alahomcd-us-Sudecri, an adherent of Abdoollah, who
has rotired to Sudeer.
“ It now appears that tho letters from Midhut Pasha to Abdoollah, which I previously
mentioned ns having been 6ent by tho Alutescrif of Bnssorah, contained offers of assistance
and a promise to send troops to his support if Abdoollah would despatch a confidential person
to aot as their guide.
" These letters, contrary to my expectation, reached their destination, in accordance
with thorn, Abdoollah despatched ono of his followers, named Abd-ool-Aziz Bab tain, with
prosents consisting of horsc6 aud other things.
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