'Report on Najd Mission 1917-1918' [‎27v] (54/60)

50
main at Hail, Ibn Saud would harass and attack him as opportunity offered,,
using the Qasim as a base. In view of the strain upon his resources during the
last two years, he has been given 3,000 rifles with ammunition, as well as four
machine guns, and granted a monthly subsidy of £5,000 to cover the expenses
he will incur in maintaining his men in the field. Active co-operation with
the Sharif was not considered practicable, but Ibn Saud was ready to send
one of his sons with some 40 men to Mecca as a sign of goodwill, if the Sharif
would make a special request for them.
Secondly, a letter was written by Ibn Saud, in the name of the three
chiefs, to Ajaimi Ibn Sadun urging upon him the harm which he was
doing to the Arab cause by his present attitude, inviting him to enter into
communication with them and promising him friendly consideration and an-
opportunity for honourable submission.
Finally, with the co-operation of Shaikh Jabir of Kuwait and the diplo
matic skill of the Shaikh of Muhammerah who was throughout of the highest
service to the Chief Political Officer, the delicate problem raised by the^pre
sence of the Ajman among the friendly tribes reached a satisfactory solu
tion. For the period of the war a truce between Ibn Saud and the "Ajman
was agreed upon and instructions were drafted defining the position of the
fugitive Shaikhs with respect to all tribes under our protection. On his
return to Basrah, Sir Percy Cox called in the Ajman leaders. They had been
profoundly disquieted by the advent of Ibn Saud thinking that it augured
ill for themselves, but the principal and more courageous headmen met the
Chief Political Officer at Zubair and accepted the proposed terms, in return
for which they were promised a monthly allowance similar to that received bv
the other friendly Shaikhs of the Shamiyah. They evinced little doubt that
the remaining headmen of the Ajman, including the two who were still with
A j a inn, would come m as soon as they heard of the happy issue of their own
venture.
Letters have been written to Fahad Beg Ibn Hadhdhal informing him of
the Kuwait meeting and inviting him to join the league of Arab chiefs in
expelling the Turks. These have been sent through a man from Fahad Beg's
tents "who Mas in Basrah at the time of Ibn Sand's visit and went to see him
at Muhammerah, where he received advice and instruction from Shaikh
Khazal in full measure. He was entrusted also with letters from the Sharif
which have been waiting opportunity of despatch to Fahad Beg, Hachim al
Muhaid, Ali Sulaiman of the Dulaim and others, and with presents in money
to guide Fahad Beg's decision and to encourage the amicable disposition of
the Shaikh of the Dahamshah, Jaza Ibn Mijlad. Communications of the
same nature are on their way to Atiyah al Qulal of Najaf and Muhammad Ali
Kamunah of Karbala.
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