Page 44 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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" This sudden change of tho policy on the part of Namik Pasha was announced to me hy
His Excellency in person on the same day, when 1 could perceive that Ilis Excellency's views
I mrnrc tint Hi* Kxoclleucy ippetled by tolc- l sentiments with respect to tho alleged con*
jrmpb io Her M«jr«ly’» MinUtcr »t Tclu*rau through ncetion of tho \» ahabis with tho Porte had
the TutkUli Minuter tbero to ctuso tho euipeoilon undergone considerable modification; and whereas
of opratfoua against Katif. ho boloro loudly asserted tho rightful suzerainty of
the Sultan over Nejd, ho now spoko of that connection in terms of indifference, if not of
aversion.
“ The ostensible ground of Abdul Aziz’s dismissal was the inferiority of his rank for the
conduct of so important a mission, but at tho sarao time Ilis Excellency admitted that the
letters he had received from Amir Abdullah bin Fcysul were ambiguously worded ; and ho
enlarged upon the treacherous and ambitious character of that Chief, as well as upon the
impracticability, as evinced by the failure of the Egyptians to maintain the occupation of the
country, of enforcing an allegiance which, being professed under momentary pressure, would
only be observed by him so long as it suited his purpose.
“The facts I conjecture to be that Amir Abdullah, when urged by the Authorities of
Bussorah to be more explicit in his communications, not only evaded compliance, bur. signified
his repudiation of Turkish supremacy by despatching Envoys to Bnshire to treat directly with
the British Resident j while, on the other hand, the Ottoman Ministry at Constantinople, so
far from concurring in the views of Namik Pasha, has probably pointed out to liia Excellency
the inexpediency of extending to more remote tribes and principalities in Arabia that condition
of y«fl«»-dependcncc which is found only too onerous and embarrassing in the case of the
Bedouin tribes, whose peculiar status within Turkish limits cannot bo ignored.
“Other disquieting rumours, too, may, I think, have influenced Namik Pasha. Some time after
the arrival of Abdul Aziz-esSoweylim at Baghdad accounts were received that Amir Abdullah
had himself appeared at Koweit at the head of a considerable force, variously stated at 5,0»0
and 30,000 men. He had, it seems, marched to Jcbcl Shammer in order to surprise two Bed­
ouin tribes, the Dhefye and a branch of the Anczeh, deriving from (subsidized by) the Baghdad
Government, who usually encamp at this season on the Nejd border, from whom during his
fatherVlifetime the zekat, or tithe in token of submission, had been repeatedly claimed, and to
punish whose depredations ou "Wahabi territory was the professed object of the expedition.
It has not transpired in what manner the Montefig from Sukesh Shiwkh became involved in
the quarrel; but in bis pursuit of the Dbcfye, Amir Abdullah came into .collision with a
combined force of both of these tiibes, whom according to the reports first received by Namik
Pasha and myself, bo defeated with great slaughter, capturing fiom them many horses and
dromedaries. On the receipt of this intelligence His Excellency telegraphed to the Governor
of Bussorah, desiring him to call upon Amir Abdullah, now halted near Koweit, to suspend
further operations, deprecating hostilities between tribes subordinate to the same authority,
and recommending the mutual restitution of plunder as tho basis of accommodation; but since
the departure of Amir Abdullah from Koweit on his return to Riad, His Excellency has
professed to believe that the reports first received were ill f(under!, and he adduces the arrival
of 10 Nejd horses and as many dromedaries, selected by the Monti fig chief, Sheikh Fuhud,
from the spoils of the Wahabis, f* r presentation to His Excellency, as proof of the victory
gained by the Turkish tribes. I append c< py of a further report of the particulars of the
affairs which I received from Mr. Johnst on yesterday evening. It is interesting as illus­
trating the normal condition of the Nejd Frontier."

XXVIII—'Wahabi advances on Beraymi, 1870—1871-

120. During the contest for power in Maslcat, between Sayud Azan-bin-
Gheis and Sayud Salim, Sideyri, the Wahabi Lieutenant of Beraymi, was
pledged to the side of Syud Salim. He was murdered, however, by the Chief
of ShargaU on 7th April 1870. On his death the. Naim tribe, who com­
plained bitterly of oppression suffered at the hands of Sideyri, the late
Wahabi Lieutenant, resolved in their minds how they could free themselves
from the Wahabi yoke, and resorted to the expedient of inviting Azan to
take possession of Beraymi. Azan and his adviser Ehuleli not being tho
men to allow the grass to grow under feet, the offer of the Naim was accepted.
The proceedings of Azan were most probably hastened by a peremptory demand
made on him by the Wahabis for payment of tribute. At any rate, the result
was that Azan inarched on Beraymi with about 1,500 men, and took it ou tho
18th of June after a very slight resistance.