Page 48 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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XXIX—(1) Civil War between Abdullah and Saud his brother. (2)
The Turkish expedition into Nejd to assist Abdullah, 1870-
1872.

137. Amir Abdullah had to abandon the prosecution of his war against
Oman ; for ho had to faco a more powerful enemy at homo, his own brother
Saud.
138. Abdullah ihn Fey sal’s character was never such as to win him much
affection from the warlike nomad tribes, who constitute the fighting power
of tho Nejd. In early manhood, when heir apparent and practically regent for
his blind father, he showed some energy and ability as a leader of raids, but
what popularity ho then enjoyed was far exceeded by that of bis brother Saud,
the beau-ideal of an Arab prince—handsome, reckless, frank and open-handed.
On their father, Fey sal’s death in 1865, the inevitable contost began between
tho brothers for tho Amirship. It lasted until 1S70, when Abdullah, finally
defeated, sought tho aid of the bated, and, as the Wahabis of Nejd hold,
infidel Turks. Tho result was that a Turkish expedition under Midhat Pasha,
Yali of Baghdad, proceeding from Basrah by sea, occupied, with Abdullah’s
aid, the Ilasa district of tho Nojdcan Principality.

139. In Juno 1871 tho Turkish expeditionary force, consisting of 4,000 or
5,000 regular troops under command of Naiiz Pasha, disembarked at Katif,
and marched unopposed to Uasa. In July 1871 tho Sheikh of Koweift was
sent bearing the Turkish flag to Bidaa on tho Katar Const, and the Arab
Sheikhs induced to accept it. Abdullah bin Foysal had iu the meantime won
over the Beni-Kahtnn tribe and, with their assistance, bad engaged Saud west
of Riadh, but was again worsted and joinod tho Turkish camp in Hasa. The in­
habitants of Riadh, displeased at the overbearing conduct of Saud’s Bedouin
followers, now rose under the leadership of Abdullah bin Turki, and forced Saud
to retire to Katar. Abdullah bin Turki then wrote to Nafiz Pasha and Abdullah
bin Foysal, reporting that he lmd expellod Saud and requesting orders. In
roply, Nafiz Pasha appointed him “ Mudir ” of Riadh pending the arrival
there of Abdullah bin Feysal, and sent him money and provisions to aid him
in holding the place. Saud next collected a force of the Ajmnn and Morrah
and Dowasir Bedouins and attacked tho Turks in Ilasa, but sustained a defeat.
14.0. It was not long ere tho Turkish authorities ceased, oven in appearance,
to act on behalf of Abdullah bin Feysal. It was alleged that the chief people
of Hasa had addressed a petition to the Sultan praying llis Majesty to take
Nejd under the direct rule and appoint a Turkish Governor instead of a member
of the Al-Saud family. The Hasa notables certainly maintained that they
were under tho impression that tho petition they signed related to the assess­
ment of the date groves, etc., but iu November Midat Pasha appeared personally
in Hasa bearing a gracious and favourable reply to the said petition. A noti­
fication was issued that the “ Al-Saud has ceased to reign,” and that Naiiz
Pasha was appointed Mutcscrrif or Governor of Nejd ; whereupon Abdullah
bin Feysal lied from the Turkish camp to Riadh.
141. At the commencement of 1872, the Turks had possessed themselves
of the fertile district and ports of Hasa and were reported to have collected
materials for the construction of forls at
Secret. May 1672, No. CG.
lias Tanurah, Ojair, and Brcmeh, half
way between the latter place and Ilasa, as a means of keeping open their
communication with tho sea. Tho true nature of their policy in Nejd was
now beginning to dawn upon Abdullah bin Feysal, who after escaping from
their camp to his capital at Riadh, was said to have addressed a letter to the
Turkish authorities complaining that,
Secret, May 1872, No. G2.
though they had entered his. country
with tho avowed intention of restoring him to power, they had practically put
him under restraint and purposed supplanting his dynasty and substituting
their own authority. Other circumstances combined to favour tho idea (bat
they were determined at all hazards to occupy the country permanently.
Tho Governor of Ilasa issued proclam­
8r.rct, May 1671, Noi G2 tod 72.
ations by which bo claimed tho rig t