File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎212v] (433/834)

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for two and a half months. Money and a special van of books
and documents travelled by the last train to leave. For tiansport
purposes Fakhri had about 500 camels and as many mules.
An Arab Yuzbashi, of Haifa, who deserted from el-Ula on
May 30, states that there are no new rails left there, but
only some 2,000 mended spares. Only two out of six sidings
still remained in place. As to supplies for the garrison, they came
from Medina monthly. Besides these some forty to fifty kilos,
of dates were held in reserve by the native population, but little
grain. If pressed for the latter, the townsmen would revolt.
The best dates (Mic) are hidden ; others sell at P.T. 25 the
oke. There is a certain leakage of grain, coffee, sugar, tea and
rice from the Sherifiaii Billi, but it is fortuitous and inegular,
and now impeded by a special patrol of Sherif Sharaf’s. Troops
are weak as the result of a scurvy epidemic last winter. Some
Jewish engineers in the place used to get the 1 ossische Aeituny
and the Berliner TcLqeblcitt and spread news of German victories,
which was believed. ’ Abdel Hamid Bey left Medain Salih for
Medina on the day of Ibn Rashid’s departure. He had been the
main propagandist among the Arabs. Supplies to the Rifada
sheikhly house had stopped, pending Sheikh Ibrahim Rifada’s
submission, and the local agent of the family, one Sahni (?), is
not allowed to leave el-Ula.
Another deserter, who left Medain Salih on June 13, says
that engine fuel is found only by using old sleepers, all collection of
wood from the desert having ceased. Ibn Rashid, who had been
receiving of late only one camel-load of grain per diem, killed
three camels for meat on the day of his flight, being without
other supplies for the road. 1 hat he fled secretly and in anger,
is evidently the popular local belief.
(General.
From a letter, dated Ramadan 13, sent to Sherif Sharaf by
Sheikh Shlash ibn Mohammed, the commander of the Ring’s
Ageyl at Teima {see No. 69, p. 448) ; it appears that the place is
short of food. A Sa’ah of grain {i.e. 1/48 of an ardebj costs
five dollars. Sherif Abdullah has been supplying Teima from his
stores (or has been supposed to be supplying it); but, presumably,
there has been some breakdown, and therefore, Sheikh Shlash
appeals to Sharaf. The latter, however, having no camel
transport of his own, cannot comply. Nor can he send up
dynamite, which also is demanded for some purpose unknown.
Ali Suleiman esh-Sharqi, principal sheikh of the Duleim {see
No. 70, p. 459), has sent an envoy with letters to King Husein
and Emir Feisal. Their purport is not yet known to us.
^Late News .— Northern Area. —On July 4, the Arabs rushed
a post between Jerdun and Aneza and took fifteen prisoners ; they
demolished the track over five kilometres distance, and again
wrecked a partially repaired bridge. Desertion is increasing,
twenty, including an officer, having come in from Maan in three