Page 245 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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been pusbod on to Hasa from Katif and Ojair. Colonel Tolly’s estimate of
the strength of the Turkish forco was as follows : —
In tbo Fort at Katif, of whom porhaps 150 sick 600
At Ojair ... ... ... 150
Reinforcoracnt en route to Lahsa 225
Head-quarters in and around the forts of Lahsa, of whom 1,000 sick 2,600

Total strength 3,400
Deduct 6ick 1,150

Effective 2,500

This bo thought was perhaps over the mark. The Arab Contingent was
about 2,000 men. Katar was being overrun by the Bedouins, who were also
plundering between Ojair and Hasa. The Chief of Bahrein had ordered the
Bedouins who were on the island to leave the placo, and most of them had crossed
over to Katar. Pereck Pasha had been raising recruits in Hasa and had got about
900 men at 0 dollars a month. It was said that Pereck Pasha had invited
Saud to come to Hasa but the latter refused to trust himself there.
169. In September Colonel Telly announced a report that Abdullah was
not killed, but had reached the Turkish camps at Hasa. He certainly did reach
the Turkish camp eventually, but when and how begot there is quite uncertain.
News of his sudden death, not in actiou this time, was current in Katar in the
end of September. Saud was determined to fight, and was preparing to march
from Biadli on Hasa. The Turks had received reinforcements at Katif.
No movements appear to have taken place during October, but on the 22nd
November Colonel Telly reported:—
“ So far as I can gather (and requesting always that all information based on native
report may bo received with caution), the position of affairs is somewhat as follows
“lit—It appears that Snood having approached Lahsa precipitated an action; and aftor
some partial success was defeated by the Tukrish foroo at Lahsa.
“2nd.—That Suood then retired on Gwattur followed by a considerable number of
Rcdouins, who have now intimated to Mahomed bin T.uico and other Gwuttur Chiefs that
they must elect bet ween supplying the wants of Bedouins or having their towns or territory
pillaged. On receipt of this news I gave our Indian subjects iu Gwattur the usual warning.
“3rd.—That Saud has sent Envoys to tho Bahrein Chief in viow to his reeling asylum
in the event of necessity. Tho Bahroin Chief communicated with me on this subject, and my
advice to him has been that Saud Should refrain from approaching the island in order to
prevent any semblance of a breach of absolute neutrality ou the part of Bahrein. Copies of
the Chief’s letter and of my reply aro appended.
“4!h.—It appears that the Pasha of Baghdad left the river about the 9th or 10th instant,
proceeded to Kowcit, passed a day there, and then came on with three steamers and a consider­
able body of troops to Katif, whore ho arrived about the 13th or 14th instant; that ho is
now at Katif with his troops encamped on the plain, as Katif, like Bahrein, is plagued at I
this season by virulent fever, which is 6aid to have caused much loss to the Turkish force, after
it had ceased to suffer from cholera.
° —It is stated to bo the intontion of tho Pasha to proceed almost immediately inland
to Lahsa, but whether with the object of consolidating the Government at that point, or of
forwarding the expedition towards Riadh, does not appear. Rumour, however, alleges that
the Turkish authorities haveissuod a document, notifying the iuteotion of the Turkish Govern­
ment to assumo direct control over Katif and Lahsa to the exclusion of the Wahaboo dynasty.
It is, I think, to bo borne in mind that the Turkish Expedition has not as yet ontered the
districts of Nojd, strictly so called/*
170. On tho same day Colonel Pelly wrote that a messengor sent to
observe matters at Katif had ascertained, said Colonel Pelly—
“ that the Pasha of Baghdad embarked last night at Katif for Ojair, taking on board with
him an escort of some throo hundred men; and that it is tho intontion of tho Pasha to prooeed