'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎197r] (398/412)

63
anxious to establish a hospital in Nejd, but it is believed that the Sultan does
not welcome the proposal though he is in need of medical assistance ; he is dis
trustful of the introduction of any foreign influence.
Postal. —There has been the normal service of mail steamers throughout
the year, weekly from India, and fortnightly from Basra. It would be of great
advantage to the islands if it were possible to introduce a weekly service to Ind.a
during the pearl season.
Mails for Europe can now be despatched from Bahrain via Baghdad and the
Motor Mail service to Beirut, which effects a considerable saving of time for the
homeward mails, owing to the service from Basra being^pnly fortnightly.
Climate. —Rainfall was slightly below the average. The surjimer was milder
than usual.
CHAPTER XII.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE KUWAIT POLITICAL AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. FOR
THE YEAR 1924.
Personnel. —Major J. C. More, D.S.O., held charge of the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
throughout the year.
Assistant Surgeon E. M. Cuzen, I.M.D., was in Medical Charge of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
.and performed the duties of Quarantine Medical Officer from the beginning of the
year till the 21st April ; Assistant Surgeon J. Gr. Johnstone, O.B .E., l.MJ)., from
the 22nd April' till the 15th June ; and Assistant Surgeon J. W. Woo'd-seil, M.C.,
I.M.D., from the 16th June to the end of the year.
Condition of the country. —Trade with Najd remained closed throughout the
year, and there were even indications that Ibn Sa'ud was anxious to stop the
import of goods from Kuwait by sea through Jubail and other ports.
On the 15th March the Ikhwan, under Faisal ad-Dawish, raided the shephered
section of the Zaiyad and other 'Iraq tribes at Ummal-Has.him, a few miles
within 'Iraq territory to the north of Bir Ansab, the most westerly point
of the neutral zone between 'Iraq and Najd. It appears that the disciplined force
of the Ikhwan consisted of ab6ut a thousand men. These, however, were joined
by an indiscriminate mob of ill-armed Bedouin, attracted by the hope of plunder
when the word went round that Faisal ad-Dawish was going raiding. These
latter came and went at will, and, although they swelled his numbers, were really
more of a hindrance than a help to Dawish. From the Ikhwan point of view the
raid was badiy managed, and not very successful. The advanced guard pressed
too far forward and lost touch with the main body. When they cam3 up with
their objective, it was late in the day and their horses were tired out. The 'Iraq,
tribesmen defended themselves stubbornly, and succeeded in withdrawing nearly
all their camels to safety, though they lost a considerable number of sheep and
donkeys. About thirty 'Iraq tribesmen were killed, and seven of the Ikhwan.
The Ikhwan camped on the spot that night, and remained there all the next day*
The following morning three British aeroplanes passed over them. Faisal ad-
Dawish assured them that they had nothing to fear from them that day, but told
them that the aeroplanes would no doubt bomb them the next day if they could find
them. They accordingly withdrew forthwith; and retired to a place of safety.
Considerable anxiety was felt in Kuwait at the end of March as the result
of a report that Dhaidan al-IIithlain, the paramount shaikh of the'Ajman, was-
advancing to raid the 'Iraq tribes which were grazing in Kuwait territory, and
also to punish the Diyahin (a sept of the AuM Wasil sub-section of the Buraih
section of the Mutair), who some time before had seceded from Najd and taken
refuge in 'Iraq whence they had raided into Najd, and who were then encamped
near Jahrah. A panic ensued amongst the 'Iraq tribesmen, and also amongst
the inhabitants of the villages of Fantas, Abu Hulaifah, Fuhaihil and Shu'aibah,,
on the coast to the south of Ras al-Ardh, who flocked into Kuwait for refuge.
The report was premature, however, as it transpired afterwards that Dhaidan
al-Hithlain had never left Sarrar, which is his normal headquarters.
The scare was beginning to die down, when, at dawn on the 25th April, a
party of r Ajman under Dhaidan al-Hithlain, together with some Mutair, raided
the country round Jalib ash-Shuyukh, ten miles south-south-east of Kuwait,