File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎242r] (492/834)

for the sake of the Turks. Unfortunately, we are entirely without
information as to the religious feeling in Asir, though we know
that a few of the Yarn, who live in Nejran, to the south-east ot
Asir, have come under the influence of the Wahhabis and have
corresponded with Ibn Saud. It is quite possible, therefore, that
they have succeeded in implanting their doctrines in Asir itself,
which lies nearer home. The Yam tribe is of the fsmailiya sect,
and so unlikely, as a whole, to sympathise with the \\ ahhabis ;
on the other hand, it has generally shown a pro-Turk bias, so that
its co-operation is not impossible. Mr. Philb) r, s guarantee, given
in ignorance of H.M.G’s support of the King’s action at Khurma,
will probably involve us in a charge of bad faith, and, incited by
Abdullah ibn Abdul Wahhab, Ibn Saud might be tempted to
temporise with the Turks in Asir. On the other hand, his
geographical position in relation to his enemies is unenviable.
On the east lie Koweit and the Ajman, on the south the Sheri!,'
and on the north Ibn hash id. (It is doubtful whether even an
alliance with the Turks would secure him against his hereditary
foe.) Therefore, on the whole, it is unlikely that anything
serious will materialise from these Turco-Nejdean negotiations.
Ibn Saud and the Sherijians.
On August 6, Mr. Philby reported that Ibn Saud was in
possession of letters which Sherif Abdullah wrote, on July 13, to
Dhari ibn Fuhaid and Hadhdhil ibn Hadhdhal, Sheikhs of the
Shiyabin section of the Ateiba. In his letters, which evidently
did not impress the recipients who passed them on to Ibn Saud,
Abdullah says, first, that the Sherif and Ibn Rashid have made
peace, and negotiations are proceeding between them regarding
affairs both north and south, and that God is supporting him
against the rebellious Ibn Saud ; secondly, that he is in command
of a punitive force, concentrated near Bquran with a view to
^ attacking Khurma. [Bquran may stand for Burain, thirty-five
miles west of Khurma.] He announces his intention to move to
the Shudhub wells in Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Subai, about a day’s journey east of
Khurma, where he enjoins the Ateiba to meet him.
The action of Abdullah, in thus running contrary to the
King’s policy and repeated assurances to us, cannot be too strong!}
condemned. The King was informed at once, and strongly urged
to write to Abdullah and Shakir that his honour is pledged to
refrain from aggression against Ibn Saud.