[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎38r] (75/206)

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Bin S&ud is not in the least avaricious; in fact, his fault lies in the other
direction, i.e., in excess of generosity. But he must have more money to hold
his tribes together. Turki at Buraidah had altogether run out of provisions,
such as rice, etc., and that was one reason why he had to leave and come away
to Riadh. The monthly cost of upkeep of 4,000 men at Buraidah would not
be less than $56,000, or £9, 400 at the rate of $14 per man per month—$6=£1
(the rate in * Anaizah was $5f—£1). I myself think that £10,000 per mensem
and another 3,000 rifles, with ammunition and some light guns, would be
sufficient to maintain the present somewhat inactive plan. The cost of large
operations would have to he worked out by some other method. The Sherif’s
men are paid £6 per mensem, or $36 per mensem. Bin Saud would prefer
the system of tribal allowances. If major operations are undertaken who are
the enemy and what is their strength ? They are Shammar and Ajman. The
Ajman would have to be eliminated first, either by our making a special
arrangement with them (e g., to give hostages from every main clan to remain
peacefully in Zubair and Kuwait) or by attacking them all round and then
taking on the Shammar. Any attack upon Hail would bring all sections
together to defend the place. They are a strong tribe. Moreover, they have
the Turks close to their back door.
In the evening again spent a couple of hours talking to Bin Saud.
17th November .—At 8 a.m. rode out with Bin Sdud to meet Turki. He and
his cavalry charged, passed on to the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. bed, firing their rifles and pistols and
shooting as they passed Bin Saud, who sat on the rim of a w r ell in the shadow of
a wall. This gallop past was repeated three times and then there were greetings
and kissings and general rejoinings. After that I returned to town. Had an
interview at 8 p.m. as usual with Bin Sdud; discussed tribal matters. Talking
about our policy with the Arabs, or for that matter the policy of any outside
Power, we should, he hinted, be making a great mistake if we imagined we
could mould such unstable material to our will. He compared Arabs to their
country ; every now and then there was a great flood {seyl) which swept every
thing away—buildings, gardens, and homes—down the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. . He likes to think
that the Sherif’s power is very temporary, built on our largesse only. As
soon as the money fails the tribes will return to their old allegiance and look
to Najd as the fountain of liberty, secular and religious. Hence his interest in
the Wahabi revivalist movement called the Ikhwan. His religious leadership
will, he hopes, in the long run carry him on some such wave to the Empire of
Arabia—the dream of all the Bin Sauds.
18th November .—Rode in the
ISarly morning —Temp. 75°, Bar. 2,725'.
morning as usual on camel with Mullah*
Mirshid, and Amar. Did some photo
graphy afterwards. In the afternoon
c Abdullah, the ductor, came to talk. Said he had been in Turkish service
through the Balkan war ; afterwards deserted out of hatred for the Turks and
their despiteful treatment of Arabs in all ranks of life. He fled first to Greece,
then to Egypt (6 months), India, and finally to Basrah, where he lived for some
time before the outbreak of the war. He was, he said, with Talib Beg at
Muhammareh when the latter was negotiating with our representatives there.
Now lives at Hasah. Attended big dinner given by Bin Saud to all Shaikhs
and people in honour of Turki’s safe return from Qasim. Did not ride in the
afternoon.
19th November, Riadh .—Rode our camels to Manfuhah : did some photo*
t > /.qo t> „ KOK / graphy. Gardens lovely at Riadh. Had
Temp. (F, es-. b,,. W 36. Bin Hassun and party in house
given us by Bin Saud at the other end of the Suq. Spent long day reading and
doing some photography. Muhammad Bin Sdud is giving a dinner to- night.
After dinner had usual long conversation with Bin Sdud. He talked for
ages; various subjects; I let him run on. Nothing fresh. I dozed several
times.
20th November.-
Temp. 68°, Bar. 2,660'.
ancient walls.
Rode in morning to Manfuhah and took photo of the east
end of the town; extensive ruins of
former town site gradually shrinking;