Page 247 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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“ Abdullah i« reported to bo in Riadh and Saud to oontinuo in the neighbourhood of
Gwattur, while n correspondence is eaid to be going on between them, though as yot it is not
known that they have coino to any terms.
“ Meantime Midhut Pasha shows no intention of withdrawing from his aggressive, costly,
and hnpoleis policy in Nojd. While at Bussorah on his way back to Baghdad he purohased
from the Persian Governor of Mahomorah a steam vessel to run between Bussorah and Katif,
and on the 1st instant a dotaohraent of about JJOO soldiers left this to supply the place of some
of tho sick men whom ho brought up.
“This country is thus being denuded of troops to a oonsidcrable extent, and it is highly
probable that these will be needed here in the spriug.
" The Arabs are said to be much disaffected, particularly tho Sharamar, who are excited
by the mode of execution at Moosul of their late Sheikh, Abdul Kurrcem. Rain is now falling
abundantly throughout the country and will (ill tho wells in the desert, and a rising is con­
sidered by no means impossible/'
175. Colonel Pelly’s last news, dated 13th January, was that tho Turkish
Coramodoro had proceeded to El Bidna taking with him the steamer 4ssur
and a battalion of regular troops. These ho landed at El Bidaa against the
will of tho Chiefs. Colonel Belly wrote:—
“ This practical experience of what is meant by Turkish friendship may, perhaps, account
for tho Gwattur Chief having addressed a very polite letter to mo."
The following report of the landing at El Bidaa is given by tho Assistant
Political Resident in his news gleanings
“Tho two Turkish ships at El Biddoh saluted and invited the Chief, Mahomed bin Sanee,
on board; ho excused himself, but afterwards, at the request of Abdullah bin Subah, Chief of
Koweit, he went on board, accompanied by his sou.
“ The Turkish Commander presented dresses of honour both to the Chief and his son, and
said to the former, you asked for help, and we have been orderod to couio here and help you,
and will land the troops,
“ The Chief replied, I did adc for help, but it was when I was at feud with Saud ; now
we aro frionds, you had better go back again; this is no place for you ; tliero is no food for
you or your thousand men. The olficer said my orders arc to land, and land I must, you had
better write to my Government to 6ay you don't want us, and I will then go when ordered.
The force landed and took possession of a fort called ‘ El Mascliin * and a few houses near it.
The people of El Biddeh arc vory angry at this occupation of the place. The larger Turkish
ship had left, but tbo smaller was still at Biddeh."
170. Regarding the brothers Abdullah and Saud, Colonel Pelly wrote :—
“ Abdullah bin Foysul continues to live at Riadh, while his brother Saud hangs on
the desert skirts of Gwattur. The brothers are, I believe, in correspondence, but whether
their prejudices and respective pretensions will admit of their practically coalescing remains to
be seen.
“ The Turkish forces are distributed as before roported. But they are probably further
diminished by sickness, and by return of time-expired men. Katif 6ecms to be 60 un­
healthy that one of the Turkish Commanders informed mu it was in contemplation to abandon
the present site of tho town as a military station."
177. On the 26th January Colonel Herbert telegraphed that 120 artillery­
men had left Baghdad on the previous day for Katif and soveral hundred
invalids had arrived thence.
178. Colonel Pelly in a lottcr dated 27th
• Vida Bombay GoTornaont, No. 1007, dated lOlh
February 1872. January wrote*—
“ The reports I havo received from many points extending from Busreh to tho pirate coast
boar a common resemblance, but arc all of them more or less uoroliablo.
“ I gather, generally, however, that the Turkish forco at Lahsa has been reduced below its
original strength; but that rcinforcoments are being sent to Katif in Snipe, which steamer
the Turkish authorities have recently purchused.
u 2nd.—That Abdoollah bin Foysul is still at Riadh in communination with his brother
Saood, who with a body of Bedouins is moving about on tho inland skirts of Gwuttur.
“ 3rd.—That Saood in turn is in communication with tho Turkish Commander at Lahsa
in view to a meeting at a place called ' Chorauab ;* tho Principals seem to mistrust each other.
—That the Turkish troops havo been withdrawn from El Biddoh in Gwuttur,
leaving there only a detachment for tho protection of stores, &c. It is also generally bcliovcd
that the Arabs of Gwuttur aro dissatislied with Turkish proceedings,"
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