ملف ١٩١٧/٧٥٦ الجزءان ٢-٣ "النشرات العربية أرقام ٦٦-١١٤" [و‎‎٣‎٤‎٠] (٨٣٤/٦٨٨)

— 91
*
carried out his appropriations in a regular manner and, by means
of a properly appointed assessment committee, lie compensated,
so far as he was able, all persons whose property he had to seize
under martial law for the sustenance of his garrison and the
defence of the city. There were some cases in which he was
unable to pay,, and these were duly recorded, the owners being
given promissory notes which were to be honoured by the
Turkish Government after the war.
Sadik Bey states that much looting was done after the
Arab occupation: over 4,800 buildings (belonging_ to absent
Medina residents), which had been sealed by the Turkish military
authorities, were broken open and the furniture stolen. ie
Bedouin were not alone in this, but appear to have been a y
assisted by regular Arab Officers ; and Sadik Bey asserts that
“ the natives of Medina lost more during the first twelve days
of the Arab occupation than they did during the two years it
was in the hands of Fakhri Pasha.
With regard to the books and treasures of the Haram,
records were found in Medina of all articles that had been sent for
safety to Constantinople and Damascus by Fakhri Pasha during
the siege.
NOTES.
Ibn Rashid.
As was predicted in our last number (page 63), Ibn RaMiid
duly made Ills supplication for inclusion in our pay-lists, albeit
bv proxy, but nevertheless definite and sincere. He remame
camped at Shagrah (100 miles west of Basrah) whilst his agent
travelled to Basrah and opened negotiations with an implied
request that we should continue the Turkish grant of £T. 10,000
monthly, 7,000 rifles and large quantities of goods. 1 bn Has i
evidently considers we have taken the place of the Turks as
the paymasters of all Arabia. He has not disclosed the result
of his submission to Husein, nor have we received from e
King’s side any enlightenment as to why Ibn Rashid shoul
have found it necessary to seek our aid so soon after Mecca s
announcement of the Ibn Rashid-Husein ra VV rocUment.
Ibn Rashid’s agent denied that his chief had made peace
with Ibn Sand ; the report of such an agreement given in our
last number (page 63) was therefore premature.
It is a pity that Ibn Rashid was absent on his quest during
the Khurma crisis, as the King would probably have been very
glad of his help at any price. He may, however, still be in time
to assist in reducing Ibn Saud to reason, as we are informed by