File 57/1905 ‘Arabia: - Situation in Yemen (1905-11). Arab revolt against Turks. Imam of Sanaa’s letter to the King. Fighting in Yemen 1911. Agreement between the Turks & the Imam’ [‎26r] (56/692)

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i his Doc ument is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
V
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA.
[July 31.]
CONFIDENTIAL.
[30020]
No. 1.
Section 2.
Mr. Marling to Sir Edward Grey .—(Received Julu 31.)
(No. 511.) ” J
Sir, Constantinople, July 20, 1911.
WITH reference to my despatch No. 510 of the 20th July last, I have the honour
to forward herewith a despatch from His Majesty’s vice-consul at Hodeidah, reporting on
a serious reverse suffered by the Turkish expedition against Seyyid Mahomed-el-Idrisee
in Assyr.
I have, &c.
CHARLES M. MARLING.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Vice-Consul Richardson to Sir G. Lowther.
(No. 34/e.)
Sir, Hodeidah, June 23, 1911.
I HAVE the honour to confirm my cablegrams Nos. 18 aud 19 respectively,
reporting a surprise of a Turkish force by Arabs near Geezan, and now beg to furnish
the following further details :—
As will be seen from my three preceding despatches, a force to be commanded
personally by the vali of the province, Mahomed Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , was concentrating at
Geezan for operations against Seyyid Mahomed-el-Idrisee in the Aboo Arish district,
and thereafter for advance in the direction of Abha.
The above force up to the date of the surprise, viz., the 13th June, consisted of
four battalions and one company of regular infantry, with a total strength of 3,000,
one battery of gunners, with six mountain guns and two Maxims. Several hundred
mules and a considerable quantity of ammunition, provisions, stores, and warlike
material had also been collected at Geezan.
The troops had been landed at the latter port between the 30th May and
11th June, and were under Colonel Raghib Bey, who was specially selected by the vali
as second in command of the expedition, and had recently arrived from Sana’a.
Mahomed Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who had arrived in Hodeidah on the 3rd instant, was still
here awaiting further reinforcements for his army.
On the morning of the 13th four battalions with four guns and two Maxims
advanced from Geezan and encamped at a place called Hafayir, three miles outside that
town.
The town of Geezan is supplied with water from wells situated at the latter place,
which was held by 400 or 500 Arabs.
Since the mobilization of the troops at Geezan, neither the latter nor the towns
people had been molested while going out to the wells to fetch water.
When the force advanced it drove off’ the Arabs from the wells by artillery fire and
encamped in the vicinity.
A little before midday the same day a force of about 10,000 or 12,000 Arabs that
had been concealed behind a rising ground some 10 or 12 miles from Hafayir advanced
quietly, and was unobserved till when within a few hundred yards of the iurkish camp,
which they surprised and immediately rushed. It would appear that the lurks had
neglected to send out scouts or to establish outposts.
The sudden appearance of the Arabs in force caused a panic amongst the troops,
and caused them to rush about in confusion, the Arabs in the meantime attacking and
coming in hand to hand combat, and using their daggers freely,
The Turkish troops were too tired, foot-sore, and suffering from the effects of the
sun and want of water at the time to offer much resistance, and were completely
overpowered. Finding themselves overwhelmed by the Arab hordes, they fied in
disorder to Geezan pursued by the enemy.
The gun-boats “ Peki Shevket ” and ‘‘ Entebbe ” then in port, seeing what had
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