"شريف مكة." [و‎‎٣] (٨/٥)

battalions, but estimates the Turkish forces in Hijaz and Yemen to be
approximately as follows:
7 battalions at Medina.
7 battalions at Mecca.
4 battalions at Jeddah.
10 battalions at El Taif.
20 battalions in Yemen, at Senaa, liodaida, Menakha, Zebid Taiz, c'tc.
54 ;:: ' total. (Xote. — This figure is obviously a gross exaggeration.)
ttherifs plans and policy. —The policy of the present Sherif of Mecca is
to consolidate himself as Independent Emir of Mecca, and the whole of the
Hejaz country and a part of Asir, and he is working to that object with all
his might.
lie has already gained the natives of Hejaz and a part of the Asir tribes,
who consider him to be a great politician.
Messenger has heard secretly that the Arab officers of the Turkish
forces in the liejaz have sworn to the Sherif to be his support and to light
under his ilag.
They declared that the}' do not wish to go and light in El Yemen, nor
take any part in the (Ireat War, but to remain with him and defend the
Haramein against any invader.
Many deserters from the Turkish Army at Yemen come to the Sherif,
and the Sherif pays them regularly and hides them from military
authorities.
The Sherif's prestige has consequently become paramount; so much so,
that the Sultan thought it wise in the present circumstances to gain his
loyalty, and therefore sent him a firman proclaiming him the Chief Governor
and Administrator of Ilejaz, with the \Vali under his orders.
This has greatly increased the Sherif's prestige, and greatly reduced that
of the Turks in Hejaz.
The. Sherif is in continual communication with Imam Yehia and El Idrisi.
His present policy is to make peace with El Idrisi and between El Idrisi
and El Imam Yehia.
Messenger is firmly of opinion that El Idrisi considers El Imam Yehia as
a traitor, but has a certain respect for the Sherif of Mecca.
He considers him a politician, but does not regard him as a "standard"
or religious leader.
There is no fear of a famine in El Ilejaz since the English opened the
trade route to Jedda, and the Arabs feel very grateful to the English for the
opening of the route.
Family and Agents of the Sherif.
All, the eldest son of the Sherif Hosayn, went to Medina in Rabi Awal
1333 (March 1915) to quiet the Heni Harb Arabs.
Ahdalla, the second and most important son of the Sherif, was sent by
his father to Nejd in Jemad 1333 (March 1915) to make peace with the
Arabs of that country.
h'alsal, third son, went to Constantinople March 1915 as a member of
Parliament for the Ilejaz to protest against the recruiting of the Bedouins of
the Hejaz.
Zeid, the fourth son, was sent by his father in Jemad (March 1915) to
Asir, to make peace with the tribes of that country.
They all returned in Shaaban (June 1915) and were present with their
father when the messenger left Taif for Cairo.
* liesides the native irregular troops of tlte Slierif, composed of Eteiba, Hisha, Ogeil
(? Aqhayl), and Hozeil Arabs.
s. 281. b