File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎7r] (22/834)

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section of the railway, and he believes a good effect has already
been produced. There appears to have been a fatal accident
during these mine-experiments at Medina.
The Bir Nasif-Bowat raid, mentioned on p. 399, resulted in
the destruction of 650 rails besides the four culverts. On
October 7, a Turkish patrol, between Mali tab and el-Hadhm
stations, lost nine prisoners and its commandant (wounded),
before reinforcements could arrive. We have also received news
of an earlier affray (some three weeks ago) near Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ethil, in
which the Circassian fedai Cavalry a turbulent regiment now
under 300 strong, was engaged with a force under Mursuq et-
Teheimi. The former lost a company commander, Mirza Bey,
and seventeen, men, besides twenty-five horses. On the same
night 500 rails were damaged between Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Ethil and Tebuk by
a party which bivouacked on the line all night. Mursuq et-
Teheimi is an ex-servant and secretary of Feisal, and reported a
brave and energetic leader. He is followed by some elements of
the Beni Atiyah, a tribe which Major Lawrence reports to be
much more numerous than usually supposed.
The Seil Matara-Zumurrud raid, also mentioned on p. 399 ,
resulted, we now hear, in the destruction of 230 rails, and two
culverts, one with four arches and one with two : also of seven
telegraph poles and three kilometres of wire. The damage was
made good in about forty-eight hours. On the evening of
October 14 an attack was made on a north-bound train between
Bueir and Istabl Antar, and the telegraphic communication
between these two stations was cut. The train was held up for
some time, and apparently the engine ran short of fuel and water
and had to go back to Bueir. We know no further details ;
but, as the Arabs are in force near Istabl Antar and moving
north, we shall probably soon hear news. Oil, butter, and meat
were all unobtainable at Maan last week and the troops had to
exist on cereals cooked with water only. Nor was there any
money there (Damascus has again refused a request from the
H.E.F. for coined money). Scurvy is making headway in the
2nd battalion, 162nd Regt. at Medain Salih, and the remedial
measures taken have proved inadequate.
On our own side cholera (not yet fully established to be
Asiatic), as indicated above, has broken out at Akaba owing, it is
thought, to some contamination from inland. Though only a few
cases have occurred so far, the mortality has been disquieting. All
possible measures are being taken by Cairo to combat the
disease, and if possible, the beach wells will be closed, and purer
inland water brought down to the camp.
Now that Jemal “ the Great ” is back at Damascus,
applications from the G.O.C.’s in the Hejaz are getting more
sympathetic hearing, and it looks as if some reinforcements, to
enable the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Musa expedition to be carried out, will be sent
down to Maan. Solicitude is also being shown for the condition
of the. Hish forest wood-cutters, Circassian and Armenian, and