Page 57 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

45
spread expectation that the Wahabi leaders will seize the opportunity to renew the struggle
in El-Ha6a, but no sure or trustworthy intelligence has boon received of the real policy and
iutoutions of Abdullah bin Feysal and bis supporters."
172. Similar rumours of tho intention of Abdullah and his nephews to march
Proceedings, August i860, Nos. 185-186. against Hasa and Katif were rGCClV-
M-bomcd.
4 yAMuiuh. ed in August of the same year. At
this timo Abdullah and his nephews0
(.Abdur luiiman. continued to live in peace and friend­
ship ; tho latter possessed Kharj, Hotah, llarik, Aflaj, etc., and had
followers of tho Ajman, Morrah and Dowasir tribes. Abdullah con­
tinued to live in Riadh with his brothers, Mahomed and Abdul Rahman.
Two of his sons were said to have died of small-pox, and one only remained,
named Turki, who was blind.
173. In September of this year it was reported from Bahrein that the
combination against Hasa and Katif
Proccodingi, Soptombcr 1880, Noi. 213-214.
had collapsed owing to dissensions among
the Chiefs of the Ajman tribe.
XXXIX—Sheikh Abdullah bin Thanneyyan, 1879-1880-
174. About this time the Wahabi Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdullah Than­
neyyan, of the Saud family, bogan to attract attention. This Sheikh was
the son of Abdullah who, for a short time in 1842, was ninth Amir of Nejd,
having headed a successful rising against the Egyptian garrison. He was a
distant cousin of Abdullah bin Fey sal. (See genealogical table above para­
graph ).
175. In October 1879 Colonel Ross reported that Abdullah bin Thanneyyan
who had been residing at Basrah for
Secret, January 1880, No. 66.
three years past, endeavouring to obtain
from the Turks the appointment of Governor of Hasa, had determined to
proceed to Constantinople to try and obtain for himself—(1) the Amirship of
Nejd, which he would hold as a feudatory of the Porte, and for which ho
would pay any reasonablo tribute; or (2) the Governorship of Hasa ou
similar conditions; or (3) tho proceeds of his share of tho Saud property
at Hasa and Katif, which the Turks had confiscated.
176. On his way down the Persian Gulf the Sheikh called on Colonel Ross
at Busbire Ho represented that ho •was proceeding to Constantinople with
the object above stated, and he added that he had understood from the Turkish
authorities at Basrah that tho Porte would be glad to arrive at an understand­
ing with tho Saud family to relieve themselves of the expense of holding
Hasa and Katif. He believed that though the Turkish authorities did not
consider it politic to initiate the proposal, mediation would be acceptable, and
that the most appropriate mediator would he the British Ambassador at Cons­
tantinople.
177. On arrival at Jeddah the Sheikh wrote to Colonel Ross explaining
why he had left Basrah for Constantinople, and stating that he dosired the
British Ambassador to use his influence with the Porte. Ho pointed out the
advantages to he gained by. Turkey in making over Nejd, Hasa and Katif
to the Saud family; and the advantages to England should he obtain
what he wanted, and lie concluded with a hint that if he was in want of funds
to carry out his plans, the British Government might lend him what was
needful.
178. In his despatch No. 31 of 23rd July 1880 tho Secretary of State for-
S«,t. <**, 1680. No. 16s, ™rdcd. c°py °f0orrespondenco regarding
the designs of Sheikh Abdullah cl Than­
neyyan. On bis way to Constantinople tbo Sheikh stayed for a time at Cairo,
where he was lodged in one of tbo Khedive’s palaoes. Here he bad two inter­
views with Mr. Malet, tho British Consul, and explained his wishes, Mr.
Malet referred to Her Majesty's Government for instructions as to how ho
should reply to the Sheikh, The London Foreign Office consulted the India
Office on the subject, and tho reply of tho latter was that it was doubtful