'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I: Historical and Political Materials: Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904.' [‎27v] (54/68)

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whether it was desirable that Her Majesty's Government should interfere
with the discretion of the Turkish Government in the matter.
179. In September 1880 further correspondence was forwarded from the
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , giving an account of the
Secret, October i 860 , No*, les-ing. Sheikh's interview with the Vice-Consul
at Damascus, and with Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople. He
appears to have left Jeddah in March and reached Constantinople in August
1880.
180. A letter from the Vice-Consul at Damascus, dated the 22nd July 1880,
gives an interesting account of Mahomed
secret, October 1880 , No. 169. the Ruler and Amir of the
Jebel Shammar. Of Abdullah bin Thanneyyan he says—
« Altogether the Amir Abdulla, who called upon me, did not give me the impression that
he was identified with any party in Aarid, but that he sought rather for personal
motives to become, with or without the connivance of the Turkish authorities, ruler of El-
Hasa; and ultimately, on the death of his uncle, the claimant by right of descent to the rule
of Aarid. He spoke, perhaps naturally, in dis paraging terms of the power and position of
Mahomed bin Rashid, the present independent ruler and Amir of the Jebel Shammar, and the
Flag E (Northern Nejd) districts, formerly tributary to the Wahabite monarchy. This bin
Rashid is considered generally in this part of the country as all-powerful in Nejd, and is besides,
according to some persons, perhaps the future leader of national aspirations in Central Arabia. ,,
181. Tbo Vice-Consul further observed that Turkey possessed no influence
or authority in Nejd or Central Arabia. With reference to the existence of any
national movement in Arabia he wrote—
As much has been said in the European press of late as to a national movement in
Arabia, I may venture to state that no evidence of such is "obtainable in this quarter; and
that as regards the Bedouin tribes of the Syrian desert, which are supposed to be becoming
gradually iuoculated with similar ideas, the tribal wars and feuds, now as ever prevailing
among them, and their complete subjection to the Turkish authorities whenever they approach
the Syrian frontiers, would tend to show that the time is yet distant when unity of action or
purpose can be obtainable among them.”
Secret, October 1880, No. 163.
182. In October 1880 Government received a copy of a despatch from
Mr. Zohrab, in which he gave a short
account of the condition of Nejd, and the
plans of the Saud dynasty. Before leaving Jeddah, Abdulla bin Thanneyyan
had several interviews with the Consul, and gave him two documents, copies
of ivhieh accompanied Mr. Zohrab's despatch. The first of these documents shows
the line of succession in Nejd for tbo last 450 years, the second is an account
of the struggle between Saud and his brother, Abdullah, who was aided by
the Turks. The latter is written for publication in the English newspapers.
183. Erom Abdullah bin Thanneyyan’s account it would appear that after
the death of Saud bin Eeysal in 1874, his children being too young to govern
were obliged~to submit to their uncle, Abdullah bin Feysal, who virtually ruled
in Nejd. Abdullah's adherents, the Wahabis, were opposed to the Saud faction,
who desired the expulsion of the Turks from the coast line, the development
of trade, free communication with other nations i and the moral support and
protection of England.
184* Abdullah bin Thanneyyan explained to Mr. Zohrab that numbers of
Nejdians bad in recent years travelled to India and other foreign countries for
trading purposes, which partly accounted for the liberal views of the Saud
party, and in addition the dread of seeing the Turks push further into the
country had raised a strong and influential party in favour of British protec
tion. Once recognized by England as an independent people, this party thinks
the Sultan could be induced to withdraw from the insigniticant points held by
his troops in Nejd ; but if he declined to do this, they believe they could drive
his troops out. Ihey also hope that free intercourse with other countries
would soon break that fanaticism for which the Nejdians have a not enviable
reputation.
185. Mr. Zohrab adds—
* H ow foMl* ma y hs of advantage to England to countenance the hopes and wishes of
Nejd is not in raj province to discuss ; but 1 will venture to point out that as there appear* to