Turkish Arabia Affairs [‎644r] (13/20)

Despatches from Colonel Herbert to H. M.’s Ambassador at the Porte.
No. 48, dated Bagdad, 26th September 1871.
From Lieutenant-Colonel C. Herbert, Consul-General, Bagdad,
H IS Excellency Hie Bight Hon’ble Sir Henry Elliot, G C B H B M ^
Ambassador, Constantinople. "
Reverting to my despatch No. 44, dated 30th ultimo, I have the honor to
report that after the battle therein reported to have taken place at a locality
called Urd-el-wisham, the majority of Abdullah’s followers joined Saood, who
appears to have been at once recognized by all the people of the countrv as the
Ameer-el-Nejd. ^
Abdullah, who, as is now proved, was not killed in that engagement, after
some delay came into the Ottoman camp at El-Hassa, and on the 8th instant,
His Excellency Midhut showed me a telegram he had received from him
announcing his arrival therein.
Erom the time of this engagement rumours have been current that Saood
would immediately attack the troops, and that the Arabs of Nejd were collecting
for that purpose.
He, however, appears to have delayed proceeding to extremities and to have
adopted the course of writing to Midhut Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. in the first instance.
On my paying a visit to His Excellency on the 14th instant, he told me he
had received a very becoming letter from him, and that he proposed to reply in a
friendly and encouraging manner to the effect that if a person holding from the
Porte the important rank of Kaimakam should be proved to have been guilty of
tyranny and oppression of the people, such as was ascribed to Abdullah, he would
unquestionably merit dismissal from his post, hut that this could only he commend
ed after a proper judicial investigation,—that the question now before them was
not a personal one between him and his brother, hut concerned the absolute neces
sity that existed on the part of the Porte for the sake of its own dignity to
support the Kaimakam appointed by His Imperial Majesty the Sultan until he
should he properly dismissed,—that as regarded himself he was in the position
of having usurped power by force of arms, and that he could not he recognized
under such circumstances,—that the only way in which he could obtain
recognition, supposing his brother to he proved guilty of the misgovernment and
abuse of authority laid to his charge and consequently removed, would he by
his presenting himself to His Excellency when he shall shortly visit El-Hassa, as
it is his intention of doing and craving pardon for his rebellion, and causing a
fitting representation from himself and all the principal persons of the country
praying for his nomination to the post of Kaimakam, to he presented to the
Sultan.
I ventured to suggest that Saood might he unwilling, or even find it
impossible, to comply with the invitation to present himself personally to His
Excellency, hut Midhut Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. seemed confident that he would do so and deter
mined that it was necessary.
I learn from other sources that the letter of Saood was accompanied by a
memorial, or Muzhutah, on his behalf very numerously sealed by all the princi
pal people of the country.
It is stated that Saood now, supported by all the tribes of Nejd without
exception, is encamped, waiting to receive Midhut Pasha’s reply to his commu
nication, and that in the meantime he has sent to Nafiz Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , commanding m
Hassa, calling upon him to withdraw from the country, that if the reply is deemed
satisfactory all will be well, hut that otherwise he will certainly march on El-
Hassa.
Local report says that more reinforcements will be despatched hence on the
arrival of four regiments now on their way and shortly expected, but no troops
that can be sent hence can raise the Turkish force of occupation to a_ strength
sufficient to oppose the united tribes of the country, if they be set m motion
against them.
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