File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎134r] (276/834)

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western flank into the Sardah valley. Doubtless this well gave
rise, in the loose geographical diction of Central Arabia, where
wells are such important features, to the general appellation of
Amariyah for the whole ridge, and Guarmani was certainly
correctly informed when he noted the range as being the (eastern)
boundary of the Ateibah range as it still is. Where el-Meskeb
is I do not know.
The early maps misplaced ^ Jebel Imarie ’ as running east
and west along the direct Hajj route from Aneizah, presumably
on the authority of some native of Aneizah, who was assumed
to have travelled direct, whereas it would seem that he must
have travelled south to join the Nejd-Mecca track, probably at
Dhruma. Quaiiyya, Haiiban and Ruwaidha are similarly mis
placed very considerably to the north of their correct positions.
ihe Ardh range including the el-Jidd or Amariyah ridge
appeared to me to run practically due north and south and
should be placed roughly along longitude 45° to 45J°, the Hajj
route traversing it via Quaiiyya, Mizal, Ibn Saadan and Quai
villages roughly along the line of latitude 24°.
The western boundary of the Ateibah in this tract is the
Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Naim which separates the quadruple mountain range of
Nejd proper from the great Shifa plain. If a straight line be
drawn north and south along the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Naim to the village of
Sija and an east to west line be drawn from the latter place to
Marran and thence a line be drawn south down the eastern edge
of the Rakba plain to the latitude of Taif, the area enclosed by
these lines comprises the range of the Subai and Buqum (only
between Khnrma and the Hadhu range) ; outside this area,
westward to the Taif hills, eastward to the eastern fringe of the
Ardh range, and northwards roughly from the borders of the
Qasim to some point south of Medina, lies the sphere of the
Ateibah.”
Ajlun Arabs.
Two Arabs who claim to have been sent by the Ajlun sheikhs
have arrived in our lines in Palestine.
They state that towards the end of January the Mutessarif
of Deraa and the Mali of Damascus summoned the Ajlun sheikhs
to Dema, informed them that Nuri Shaalan, who had made a
compact with the British and the Sherif, was in the Syrian desert
near Azrak, and requested them to attack him. Some old rifles
were issuod to the sheikhs on their expressing their willingness
to operate against Nuri, and 400 “ volunteers were assembled,
but soon deserted, after which an order was issued exempting
them from military service.
Conscription had not been enforced upon the Hauran and
Ajlun people owing to their habit of desertion. They were,
how - ever, compelled to supply an unpaid corps of woodcutters.
The general feeling in Ajlun is favourable to the British and
the Sherif.