File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎70r] (148/834)

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war material. Idris expressed some dissent at the smallness of
this concession and took the opportunity to submit a detailed list
of his requirements. He was, however, considerably gratified by
Major Royle’s visit, no less than by the presence of armoured
cars in his camp, which news he took care to inform Major
Royle would not be long in getting west and would doubtless be
construed by his enemies to mean that the British armoured
cars were actually assisting him. The armoured car is what
the Arabs chiefly fear in these days.
The situation as regards Bayed Ahmed has now had further
light thrown upon it by the arrival at Gedabia of the coastguard
deserter, Mohammed Saleh, who was Bayed Ahmed s chief
military adviser during the Benussi occupation of the Egyptian
Oases. Some time ago Mohammed Idris wrote to Bayed Ahmed
presenting him with an ultimatum to the effect that he (Bayed
Ahmed) must either submit to Idris or else retire to Kufra.
Mohammed Saleh’s visit to Gedabia is probably connected with
this ultimatum, and it will not be very surprising if we hear
presently that Mohammed Idris and Bayed Ahmed have come to
terms. 'In any case Mohammed Saleh’s intentions m visiting
Gedabia cannot have been otherwise than genuine since, in order
to reach his destination, he had to pass through two of Idris s
out-posts in the Bert region. It may, however, be concluded
with some assurance that his connections with the luikish pai ty
in Tripoli have ceased, for it is not likely that he would venture
into Idris’ headquarters as a Turkish agent.
As regards the possibility of an eastward move by Ramadan
and Nuri, the latest news comes from All Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. el-Abdia, the
delegate whom Idris sent to the High Commissioner and who
has now returned west; according to Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Ramadan and
Nuri are despatching two columns, one to seize Idris and invade
Cyrenaica, the other to attack Siwa via Jalo and [t 18
possible, however, that in sending us this report, Ah Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has
permitted his desire to assist his master to run away with ins
pen as it is to the interest of Mohammed Idris to picture the
situation in the sombrest tones, lest we be disposed to imagine
that he was in no need of assistance. In any case interesting
and authentic news should shortly be forthcoming from Idris
himself at Gedabia. ... j n
In the enemy camp the old friction between Ramadan and
Nuri would appear to have broken out acutely once moie.
Ramadan who lords it at Misurata has apparently been m the
habit of extracting tolls and levies upon all that passes throug i
his hands in the way of supplies from Turkey. He lately _ ie
up a large consignment of Turkish gold destined for Ami and
also refused to send reinforcements required by Nun. JNuri
is said to have remonstrated saying that he would return to
Constantinople if Ramadan did not keep the Iripolitan Ara s
better supplied. It is not likely, however, that Ramadan w
permit the breach to widen to that extent for he must realize
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