Page 263 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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(Govern»>r-Ocneral of Bagdad and of tbo Ottoman possessions hereabouts), of whom it is
reported that be intends calling in there and using bis influence in spite of tbo protestaton
of the Porto to our Ambassador at Constantinople that tbo Trucial Chiefs (of which Esau-ibin
Khuleofah is ouc) shall not be interfered with.
To return to tbo shore, Abd’alln, after tbo fight with bis brother Saood, (reported in
a former letter) fled to tbo Turks, who wore his proclaimed qllies, but latterly be seem a to
bavo distrusted thorn and has given them the slip, in the hope of uniting tbo Arab tribes in
defence of their country against the invading Heretics " as they, being strict Wababees,
regard tbo Turks,
Tbo idea evidently having forced itself on bis mind that the Turks intend making a
permanent, settlement in tbo country, I cannot but regard as intentional a circumstance that
occurred the other day. The Turk Commodoro when ho arrived at Bahrein hoisted the Turkish
flag and saluted it with 21 guns. I regarded this os an act of sovereignty. I distinctly saw
that it was tbo Turkish flag, and suggested to Colonel Polly that the question should he ask'd,
“who the salute was intended for.” Tlio Commodoro explained that having no “Arab " flag
on board he had used his own, being the nearest in appearance to it, and that the salute was
in honor of the Arab forts. This explanation could not well be taken exception with, but it
shows there is a tendency to assert the Otttoman authority in these waters,—who ever thought
of saluting an Arab mud fort half ruined with 21 guns ; five guns is the U6ual Arab salute—
three guus for smaller Chiefs.
The belligerents before the Turks appeared on the sceno were represented by the brothers,
Ahd'alla and Saood, sons of the late Chief “ Fasul "—the independent tribes siding
with one brother or tbo other, they fought for tbo Chieftainship with varied success. Tlio
Wababee territory is a considerable portion of Central Arabia called “ Nejid properly speak­
ing they have no sea-board. Yet the province of Iinssa with tho sea ports ol Katiff and
Ojair, suoh as they arc (you can hardly get within sight of ihem.too shoal) acknowledged their
sway till tho Turks came. A true Arab, it would seem, loves war for its own sake. There are,
of course, many commercial and trading Arabs especially the coast inhabitants, but the nobler
tribes hold them in contempt. Saif-bin-Ali, I can fancy, expressed but tho feedings of
himself and his people without exaggeration when at a protracted war council lie cut nil argu­
ment short by saying—“ Blood is man's only dye, and war like the manna and quails is as
food to us.”* I have no doubt also that, with
• “ Iinim* and Syod* of Oman," by G. P. Badger, respect to the Wababees, there may bo some
F. It. C. S. amount of personal feeling. The Turks undoubtedly
feel they have a score to scttlo with them. The Wahabees (I think under Ahd'alla, great­
grandfather of the present man, at tho beginning of this century, but I havono hooks to refer
to. I havo only at various times been able to peep into book'6, which 1 have been obliged to
return, and trust to memory, which I find has not improved under the boiling process of the
la9t year) captured “ Mecca," plundered the pilgrims, its inhabitants and its mosque, and
defiled the sacred “Cauba,” plundered and turned back the caravan of tho then reigning Sultan
of Turkey's sister who was making tho sacred pilgrimage.
The Wababees hate pilgrimages and don't respect Mecca. Mr. Palgravc, in his <f Central
and Eastern Arabia," desciibes them as Puritans that move about with a sanctimonious
face and demeanour, allowing of neither smoking, laughing, drinking of wine, or silk thread
in the ornamentation of their garments, whose only source of lawful enjoymeut und recreations
must be found in womon, lighting, and praying.
The Turk Army is, at present, at Lahsa ; there is the fearful desert of “ Nufeidz " before
, they can roach “Uiaz" f (llujadh), tho chief
diBmntnw',bNlC‘pil°’! “ ‘P'le object of their invasion. IIow they will prosper
•ren woy<. timo wjjj s]l0Wt J am sorry J am not jn potion
to give more cortain detailed and accounts, and trust that you will mako overy allowance for
defects—tho absence of any book of reference, tho trust that ono has to place iu memory, in
ono'8 own surmises, with but littlo cortain to go upon, aud with no time for a referred revisal.
I hurry this letter off, uot wishing to miss tne mail.
256. Admiral Cockburn in submitting Commander Doughty’s report,
writes (No. 2, dated 2nd January 1S72)—

“ Although I do not Bupposo the Turks will be able permanently to control these inde­
pendent chiefs, I think they will bo the cause of much bloodshed, injure the peaceful pursuits
of those thus inclined and will havo a certain effect upon tho Moslem, not only in Arabia, but
in our own territory (in India).. The Moslem is evidently beginning to think he may again
bid for power, if not in Europe in Asia, and 1 am strongly of opinion that the llus and Turk
work with an agreemont of purpose."
With this letter was enclosed a roturn of Turkish ships of war stationed in
the Persian Gulf:—
[C067J?DJ