File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎264r] (536/834)

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el-Ula states that the date crop there has been purchased by the
Turks. One train per month still arrives from Medina, bringing
dates, wheat, raisins, and a little meat, olive oil and semn.
Major Davenport reports that, with a view to encouraging
desertions among the Turkish garrisons, he has arranged to send
parties on to the hills, near the Turkish posts, to light fires at
night, and to make smoke fires by day. It has been learned that
the Turks are often afraid to desert because they do not know
where to find water. With a view to ensuring their good
treatment by the Beduins, rewards are being offered for all Turks
brought in alive. £3 per officer, and £l per man, is paid.
In a letter from Sherif Ali to the King, dated Dhu’l Qada 24,
he states that the King’s letter to Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [see page 306)
was sent to Jeleijila. The Commander telephoned to Fakhri
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who told him to send on the letter and to treat the
messenger with all consideration. He ordered the man to return
at the end of the eight days stipulated in the King’s letter.
General.
Colonel Bassett reports, under date September 12, that,
according to information received from a trustworthy source,
Shakir and a force of about two thousand Arabs are encamped
at Marran somewhere between Khurmaand Mecca. [Kote. —This
is riot Marran on the Mecca-Aneiza road.] Shakir has not
been to Khurma at all, and his activities are stated to be
confined to patrolling. The people of Taif are showing signs of
nervousness, and a desire to move into Mecca. It is probable that
Shakir is endeavouring to settle the disturbance by peaceful
methods. Reports received from Mr. Philby seem to show that
the Ateiba have not been giving Shakir the support which he
expected, and that important sheikhs are throwing in their lot
with Ibn Saud (see page 317).
An organised attempt is being made in Jebel Druz to
encourage desertions from the enemy’s forces. A sort of rest-
house has been opened, and deserters are fed and cared for there
before being brought down to the Arab army. Over a hundred
men have been secured in this way.
A trustworthy agent reports that he was told by a native
of Madeba that Sheikh Sultan of the Adwan was recruiting
Beduins to fight against the British. The Ghanamat, despite
the protests of their chief Salim abu’l Ghanam, are said to have
thrown in their lot with Sultan, who has sent appeals for
co-operation to the Beni Hasan and Beni Sakhr. So far as our
information goes, his appeals were fruitless.
[Late News:—Northern Area.
Brilliant success has attended the operations of the mobile
column of'Emir Feisal’s northern army. On September 16, an
important bridge and a section of the railway near Mafrak, south
of Deraa, were destroyed, and a Turkish post was captured with