ملف ١٩١٧/٧٥٦ الجزءان ٢-٣ "النشرات العربية أرقام ٦٦-١١٤" [ظ‎‎٣‎٣‎٧] (٨٣٤/٦٨٣)

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amounts to 20,000 Bedouin, of which some are posted ten miles
west of Tarabah.
Emir Abdullah has collected from his original force a remnant
of about 3,000 Bedouin at Okheidir. Two hundred and fifty
semi-trained regulars have left Mecca under Sagh. Kaisuni
(Minister of War), to join the Emir, whilst Emir Ali at Medina is
reported to be sending some machine guns and ammunition.
Stop Press News.
H. Gr.
In spite of many Bedouin rumours that Ibn Sand and the
Ikhwan intended to occupy Mecca, no military incidents have
occurred since the Sherifian defeat at Tarabah. Ibn Saud was
ordered by His Majesty’s Government to withdraw from Khurma,
and informed that his request for arbitration would be granted.
He is now reported moving eastward towards Riadh. Mr. Philby
is being sent from London to commence negotiations, and
meanwhile we are advising the King not to move east of the
line Taif-Asheirah.
The Ikhwan.
A Note, compiled by the A.P.O., Basrah, on the Ikhwan,
and dated April last, states that the movement first appeared
some eight or twelve years ago, probably in the vicinity of
Riadh. Like all newly formed sects it is animated with a very
strong spirit of fanaticism and, for that reason, is regarded
with fear by the tribes and sheikhs round about Zubeir. Being,
at its outset, hostile towards the Sherif, it was encouraged by
Ibn Saud, and, after spreading around Riadh, its supporters
attempted to establish a colony in Hail, but Ibn Rashid forbade
this, and has ever since followed the same policy, with the result
that, except for a few converts in one sub-tribe situated on his
bordei, there are no Ikhwan sectarians amongst his people.
. The A - P -0., Basrah, states that all Ibn Sand’s tribes are
tainted with Ikhwanism; the Muteir, the Ateibah, and the
Harb include large proportions of adherents, whilst the Dawasir
and the Sebei have smaller numbers. Feisal ibn Darwish
Sheikh of the Muteir, is the leading spirit of the movement’
and even the people of Koweit are gradually joining. At Zubeir
ikhwan converts are appearing in increasing numbers, much
to the alarm of Sheikh Ibrahim (of Koweit), and many a Bedou
entering the town to replenish his supplies boasts that he has
joined the new sect.
Contrary to our information from previous sources, the
•P.O., Basrah, asserts that the Ikhwan have passed beyond
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