File 2182/1913 Pt 5 'Arabia Nejd: Policy Bin Saud' [‎245r] (65/308)

"With regard to the fighting among the tribesmen of the Hedjaz, whose
country and habitat extends from Medina to Jeddah and Yenbo, they had
become separated into two divisions; the Bani Salim and Bahdah are siding
with the Turks : but the Masruh are with the sons of the Sheriff.
On their return after the skirmish that took place between them and the
sons of the Sheriff, the Turks attacked Awali (a town near Medina which has
considerable date gardens belonging to a tribe called the Beni Ali who had
been siding with the sons of the Sheriff in revolt against the Turks) and
bombarded the town, plundered it, outraged the people and perpetrated iniquit
ies upon them.
A Sheriff has now been created at Constantinople, who is named Hydar.
They claim that he is a new Amir for Mecca. There arrived with him a
deputation and some troops and on their arrival at Medina they committed
barbarous acts against the townspeople, imprisoning and hanging them. No
one who possesses zeal for Islam and Arab patriotism can tolerate such things.
This is the latest news received from Medina.
At this moment, while writing, I have received news that on account of
what the Turks perpetrated at Awali and against the townsmen of Medina,
the Harb (Beni Salim) and the A1 Bahdah, who had previously sided with
the Turks, came to an understanding with the Masruh who are co-operating
with the sons of the Sheriff, and all of them joined forces and became one.
They ambushed the Turks and cut their communications in and out of
Medina, on account of the Turks’ brutal proceedings. My informant also
alleges that the Harb sent to the sons of the Sheriff asking them to
advance towards Medina and the surrounding places with a view to cutting
communications wdth the town and destroying the railway. This is the news
which reaches me while writing, but God knows whether it is true. Inshallah,
I shall inform you when it is confirmed. According to what we learn about
the doings of the Turks, their oppression and tyranny of anyone who comes
w ithin their reach is such that it is clear and certain that they will never set
their affairs aright and will never succeed.
Then Your Honour spoke to me regarding Bin Rashid. I have just heard
news of his arrival at his dwelling place—Hail. Thank God he is certainly in
evil plight. With reference to your hope that you would hear soon about the
doings of my men in that direction, I have explained to Your Honour in my
previous letter the primary difficulty. Now I beg to inform you that the
difficultv in the way of attacking Bin Rashid in the neighbourhood of Hail at
present is not due to any strength in him which prevents it, nor to any weak
ness in me or my forces, but it arises from political reasons which make it
inexpedient to force hostilities on them at present. But whether it be a
question of fighting with Bin Rashid or other Arabs in enmity with the British
Government, or of co-operation and assistance to people like the Sheriff
(problems concerning us in our dealings with one another and affected by our
individual views and interests) it is evident and well-known to Your Honour
that none of us will let an opportunity pass which will benefit us against the
enemy, and that the reason for abstention from action is that we are watching
for such an opportunity as, please God, will secure a successful issue. If,
however, the case is otherwise, and if you discern in the matter anything con
ducive to my interests and yours, there is no doubt that I will not, Inshallah,
deviate from your opinion or your point of view after consultation between us,
either in writing or by confidential messenger, or there might be a meeting
between me and Your Honour at any place you please, so that we could
exchange views on the subject. That is what I should like best, for there are
necessarily many matters in one’s mind which affect the interests of both
parties.
If vou so order it and if you think it advisable that we should have a
meeting, you must give me sufficient notice to enable a meeting to he aiianged.
1 will await a reply to this letter and the receipt of your instructions.
Inshallah, you will inform me of good and gratifying news of the victories
of the Great Government in Iraq and elsewhere. It is ever our hope that
vour friendship with me will be perpetual.
In conclusion, I wish you good health and prosperity.