File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎223v] (455/834)

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Wahabis, said to number 4,000, is reported to be at Ghat-Ghat
and Dukhna, about four days east of Taif in the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. iurba
district, under Ivhalid. There is reason to believe that this news
is old and refers to Ibn Baud’s mobilization against the Shammar
(see p. 255). Khalid’s nephew is said to have been killed in
an encounter, and Ins followers routed (the affair reported on
p. 246 ?). Colonel Wilson has asked King Husein the extent and
object of Shakir’s expedition. The King says that Shakir, as
Emir of the Ateibah, would re-occupy Khurma, but that he
would not be provided with guns or machine guns. He feels
keenly the blow to his prestige and amour-propre, and is bent on
taking vengeance on Khalid.
[ Late News .—The ceremony of the laying of the foundation
stone of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, to be held on
July 24, has been the subject of a cordial exchange of messages
between Dr. Weizmann and Emir Feisal. The latter writes
regretting that he will be unable to leave his headquarters to
attend the ceremony to which Dr. Weizmann has replied, “I trust
we may rely on your sympathy in the establishment of an
institution which is designed to promote progress and education
for the benefit of all communities alike”.]
NOTES.
Idrisis Situation.
Reports written by Lieut.-Colonel A. M. Houston on July 3,
after his return to Kamaran (see p. 221), and by Captain Nasreddin
Ahmed, on July 2, tell us how the situation developed after the
evacuation of Loheiya (see p. 240). Abu Halik held out till
June 29, but fell as soon as the Turks attacked it in earnest.
It’s fall was precipitated by a stampede of the Beni Jami on the
Idrissian right wing, which let the Turks in on the flank of the
Mikhlaf el-Yemen plainsmen in the centre. These broke on
receiving a cross fire, and the hillmen on the left, who had been
making good progress, had to fall back again. Captain Nasreddin
seems to think the Beni Jami were loyal and that the fault lay
with Idrisi’s Commandant who left them unsupported. Idrisi’s
paid troops retired northwards on Buheis and Habl. Not
only the army, but the Arabs of Idrisi’s immediate following
seem completely demoralised, and their ill temper finds vent in
blaming their chief for having called in British advisers. In
consequence, Idrisi showed himself very anxious to be rid of the
latter, for a time at any rate, and speeded his parting guests by
all means in his power. He seemed hardly less anxious to send
off Seyyid Mustafa to Jeizan. Idrisi, who said he would