File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎338r] (684/834)

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— 87 —
Ibn Sand’s control, although they were fostered by him m the
early days of the movement, and says further that the prevailing
idea amongst the Bedouin is that Ibn Sand will either disappear
or will be compelled to follow the movement, m spite o± t e
fact that it is directed against us.
The Note proceeds :—
“ It is reported that the Ikhwan repoached Ibn Sand for
his lack of religious fervour and especially for dealing with the
British Government, and the answer he is supposed to have given
shows how weak his position is. ‘ I have been obliged, he said,
‘ to side with the British in order to strengthen my own position
but later on, should the British give you cause for rising again
them, I will be with yon. ^ i-Up QWif
“ Ibn Rashid’s messengers say that, had not t
assured himself of Ibn Rashid’s help, he would have been attacked
by now The Sherif, as a result of this alliance has been supp y-
ing foodstuffs to Ibn Rashid, and has lately asked him for 2,000
C am«is^ch are being^supplied^tbu^t of Ikhwan fanaticism
amongst the Muteir. Feisal, their chief, with the Muten Ikhwan,
invited all non-Ikhwan to join the sect on penaRy of de ^
and actually killed four Muteir tribesmen who reteed Je
invitation. This created a stampede, part of the Mnteir fleeing
to Koweit and Bahrein for safety, others going over to lb
Rashid to claim his protection. ■
“ Fear of the Ikhwan is spreading and the Aslam under
Dhari ibn Tawalah and the Dhafir under Hamud es Suwait
are feeling anxious. The feeling of uneasiness has jrea^ to
the marshes and Sayed Jabir remarked to me *tat the Ikhw
would gladly exterminate the Maadans if they had the chance.
“ Sheikh Ibrahim stated that Ibn Rashid ^s the rallying
point of those tribes opposed to the Ikhwan, and tha i w0
be wise for us to come to an understanding with him and use h
and his tribes as buffers between Iraq and the Ikhwans. Une
of the Ikhwan in battle is worth five Bedus, for he is prepared
to give up his life for the cause.
News of Ikhwan activity around Koweit is also contained
in a report, dated April 20, from the Poprcal Agent, Koweit
This officer confirms that Feisal el Darwish, Chief Sheikh of the
Muteir, has now become organizer of the movement whic
is taking up vigorously with the alleged intention of gathering
a sufficient force to establish himself on the Nejd thr ° n ®,
it is even hinted that his aspirations may not, end there I
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. adds, however, that towards the end of Ap
the excitement at Koweit due to the Ikhwan had died down.
A