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raiding party composed oi Beni Attiya, the Saidiyeen el Gharbiyeen and some
of the Abu IMoweir tribe .had looted from Inezeh and the JSherarat of Nejd under
a leader of the Baidiyeen el Gharbiyeen, aithougn i am unaware of itiis hixcei-
lency’s intentions in urging the employment of this Force at any available oppor
tunity whether suitable or not, as for example his request to reinforce the Zizia
outpost by some of the Frontier Force when Ibn Diab was killed.
I quite agree that the Trans-Jordan tribes should not be allowed to raid
and that those who dare to do so should be punished and made to recover and
return all they loot. I have confirmed this on several occasions by word and
deed. But being desirous of protecting the tribes of my people and of retain
ing the loyalty of that people towards me and towards the Mandatory Power,
I find it necessary in the light of my knowledge of Beduin mentality to draw
Your Excellency’s attention and that of His Excellency the High Commissioner
for Trans-Jordan, to the following remarks :—
(1) Kaiding as viewed by tribes is legitimate and the existence of each
tribe within the limits of their natural boundaries gives them the right to raid
any other tribe outside their boundaries.
(2) Beduin Arabs, like Ibn Sand, and Ibn Rasheed formerly, took the lea
dership of their tribes to raid the other when quarrels between them were dec
lared, because those tribes are in fact the soldier of Beduin Amirs.
(3) When one of them conquers the other the tribes of the vanquished
commit themselves to the victorious Amir and unite with him and then will
attack with him that Amir who had been their previous chief in their country
and would not mind capturing that chief and his family. This is what hap
pened when Mohamed Ibn Rasheed conquered all Nejd and captured A1 Baud
and the very same thing happened recently to A1 Rasheed at the hands of Ibn
Baud. Such is God’s law in Jezeera (Arabia).
(4) Now as regards those parts of Arabia which were governed by Civil
Governments, as Turkey previously. Turkey permitted raiding amongst the
tribes and did not object at all as long as raids did not extend to the settled dis
tricts and as long as the Amirs of Nejd acknowledged the suzerainty of the Sul
tan the same as Egypt.
(5) Since the Nejdian tribes have attacked this country, when they had em
braced the YV r ahhabi creed and were supported by their Sultan and then by their
King and were not punished for their action nor anything was restored to the
tribes of this country or any compensation given, this would convey to the
Beduin that freedom of raiding is still open and lawful.
(6) At present also when that King has made an end as is rumoured of the
Wahhabi hordes who had risen against him his tribes who are under his P 10 ~
tection and favour started to raid the tribes of this country. The number of
such raids is no doubt known to Your Excellency. On our side we have not
gained anything for our tribes but have only given promises that their losses
would be made good yet whilst we do not repel raids against them we aie doing
our best to restore all they had taken from their enemies which is on an
average of one to ten, that is to say against ten raids by Nejd there is one raid
by Trans-Jordan.
Owing to these facts I would point out that the following mil happen
{a) The resentment of all the inhabitants of Trans-Jordan will be raised
against us on account of their enemy having a free hand to raid
them at pleasure wTiereas they are not protected but are commanc -
ed to have patience against such horrid acts and aie bidden to re
taliate.
(b) The disappearance of love and loyalty from the hearts of the people
towards me and towards the Mandatory Power ror that reason.
(e) The firm belief of the Bedu that the Nejd-Hejaz Government frwhtM
this side and renders it unable to safeguard the rights of its sub
jects and of those taking refuges in its country.
(d) The tribes will commence to take refuge in the Nejdian authorities
and joinin'’’ them will show enmity to us which is only a natural
result of what is said above.