File 756/1917 Pt 1 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 1 to 65’ [‎451r] (906/1240)

That the first three leaders, classed as anti-Turk, are in some
sort of agreement, seems to follow from the presence, in each of
their forces, of elements from the same main group of the
Shammar, the Sinjarah and the Aslam being both constituents
of the Sayih section. The Sinjarah sheikhs were reported in
our No. 35 (p. 542) to be desirous of co-operating with us.
All the three constituents of No. 1 have acted with us for a
year past, and their present leader is both a rebel against Ibn
Rashid, and a declared ally of King Hnsein of Hejaz. The leader
of force No. 2 is also the latter’s armed ally, though it cannot be
said of him equally that he has yet burned his boats, and he
seems to be aiming primarily at the control of all the Anezah.
If Audah Abu Tayi is really with Nuri (as information from
Hejaz states), the latter has enlisted a very famous fighter, who,
again, has subscribed to King Husein’s cause. About Ibn
Sand’s intentions we can speak only with reserve. He is for us,
and against the Turk, and he has done nothing against King
Husein ; but that he feels jealousy and resentment towards the
latter is notorious. He has come to Qasim, and will probably
raid Jebel Shammar.
The ultimate aims of the three leaders in Class 2 are less
easy to analyse. Fahad Hadhdhal is certainly at odds with Nun
Shaalan, but, while he has professed sympathy with King
Husein, he has done nothing, so far as we know, to aid the
Turks. On the contrary, he has written a friendly letter to
Saud Subhan. Ajeimi Saadun (though Sherif Feisal reckons him
a friend in the future) has lately professed his fidelity to the
Ottoman Caliph in the fine reply to Ibn Saud, of which
translation follows.
Letter from Ajeimi el-Mansur to Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, dated
Rabi I. 17, 1335 [January 11, 1917.~]
u
A.C.
“1 have received your valued letter at a propitious hour with
the hand of friendship, and have understood all the friendly
sentiments contained therein.
“But about your statement regarding your present ettorts
in makino- reference to the English in my absence and of their
acquiescence in your desires regarding myself, and your as mg
for my alliance with you and agreement with you and yoor
saying that that will not be possible without a meeting and
that the obiect thereof is the preservation o£ the rights o£ the
Arab race, and that we have taken np an attitude o£ disaffection
which is baneful to the Arab race.
“ Oh my honoured brother ! It is known to me and is
beyond doubt that my attitude is the one which is necessary m
oX to earn the approval of the Most High Cod and the
elevation of the name of the Arabs by ^ dl ^YshouldlJry
«nd what P-reater loyalty is there than this, that I should carry
out faithfully what Cod ordered me in His unchangeable boo m