Page 221 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

I

23
establish tho supremacy of tho Porto ovor tlio wholo of Central and Southern Arabia; and
this dcsiro, together with a growing jealousy of British influence in tho Porsian Gulf, appears
to bo tho motivo of the prosent action.”
8C. Tho latest news in this letter, although not at tho time confirmed,
was, that it was proposed to employ the prosent occasion to carryout tho above
object by talcing permanent occupation of Ncjd, a now division of tho array
being formed for this purpose, and by sending thither a Lieutenant-Governor.
80. Looking to the apparent popularity of Saud, tho Political Agent, in
another letter of the 11th April, expressed his doubts as to tho wisdom of in­
terference between the two brothers, with tho view of restoring Abdullah;
and, regard being had to the nature of the country in which troops would have
to operate in favour of the latter, he also doubted their chance of success.
87. And oven allowing that the expedition did succeed, its effect, the
Political Agent observed, would bo either to replace an unpopular Ruler in
Iliadh, and thus prepare the way for his overthrow by his more popular brother,
or facilitate the acquisition of the country by the Ottoman Government, a measure
which they desire Xu cither case, the Political Agent anticipated discontent
among the people which would be followed by complications.
88. The Political Agont further pointed out that, owing to a want of funds
and scarcity of food, the latter due to a second year of drought, the province
was not in a position to uudertake a costly expedition such as the one proposed
would prove.
89. As regards the rumour about Saud receiving aid from the Indian
Government, the Political Agent said it was to be regretted that tho idea had
taken root at Baghdad. Mid hut Pasha had never, he said, mentioned tho
matter to him, although he had reason to believe that His Excellency had
endeavoured indirectly to ascertain his views. But he had taken care to limit
himself to saying that he had no information, and expressing his conviction that
Government would not permit itself to bo led to interfere in the affairs of Cen­
tral Arabia.
90. In a- letter of tho 26th April,
Secret, August 1871, Nos. 41—71 (No. 51).
Colonel Herbert wrote:—
u I have the honour to report that tho first detachment of troops for the Nejd expedition,
said to ho one regiment of infantry, and numbering between 400 and 500 men, left this in
the River Steamer Moosul on Thursday, the 20th instant.
u A portion of the artillery (without guns) and cavalry marched by land tho next day;
and on the 23rd idem a second detachment of infantry, considerably more numerous than the
first, left in the Steamer Dit/alah and her barge.
“ A further detachment of troop9 is to go from Amarah shortly, and others will be
despatched hence when the Bteara-boats roturn for thoir conveyance.
“ Tho whole of the artillery and cavalry aro to march by land; and the guns, ammunition
and stores are to bo stnt in country hoat6.
“A thousand horsemen are to be supplied by the Mootifik Arabs, and contingents of
horse and matcblookmen are to be formed at Zobuir and Koweit from the tribes in those neigh­
bourhoods.”
91. The same letter represented forcibly the difficulties and dangers in
store for the expedition ;—
" On landing at Katcof, or Damaum, the troops will find themselves in the enemies1
country, and, it must be auticipated, will find great difficulty in procuring carriage or
supplies of any kind.
“From these ports their maroh to El-Hasa will ocoupy respectively four and three long
days, and will he under a burning sun and scorohing hot wind across eaody desert whore
water for a largo number docs uot exist.
“ The few wells that aro to be found at intervals, and are known only to the Arabs of the
place, afford but a scanty supply of braokish water sufficiout for the wants of a very limited
numbor.
“ It will bo necessary, therefore, that water be carried, and thus will domand so large a
.supply of oamols as to bo seemingly almost impossible.
“ The Boni-Khalid tribo who ocoupy this country, and of whom was Saood's mother, aro
probably entirely with him ; as aro said to bo tho other inhabitants of this region.