File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎310v] (629/834)

allowed only 100 grammes of flour per day. Complaint was made
to Fakhri that this was insufficient to satisfy hunger, even
though the meat ration was simultaneously increased. On
October 6, it was ordered that 100 grammes of biscuit should he
issued three days a week in lieu of bread, and Dr. Shevket added
that the reserve stock was almost exhausted. On October 30, a
final reduction of flour was made, i.e. from 100 grammes to eighty,
the biscuit ration for the remaining days being lowered to ninety
grammes.
Fakhri’s formation of an agricultural company to cultivate
commandeered ground, is noted elsewhere. In conversation with
Captain Garland he said that, at the time of the evacuation, he
had sown ten tons of wheat and was hoping to get a crop of
fifty tons.
Meat.
The meat shortage became no less acute. On February 20,
1918, Dr. Shevket wrote that he had seen none for ten days ;
and though the ration was raised to balance the lowering of the
flour issue at the end of August, the increase can hardly have been
sustained, for on September 25 he noted that mules which had
died or fallen sick were being used for food.
Rice.
At the beginning of October the situation was somewhat
alleviated by the arrival of a caravan at ElUla and Tebuk, bring
ing a large quantity of rice. Fakhri issued an appeal to all
officers for contributions to buy this in ; the result is not recorded,
Dr. Shevket merely expressing his regret that he personally had
parted with all his cash and was thus unable to help.
Dates.
Fakhri commandeered the date palms to a point which,
according to Emin Bey, reduced the owners to starvation. In
conversation with Captain Garland, Fakhri said that he was ex
pecting a million and a half kilos from the 1919 harvest.
Summary.
Both Emin Bey and Dr. Shevket believed, as the evidence
given above suggests, that the garrison was on the verge of
starvation at the end of December. But it is clear that the
shortage was due mainly to Fakhri’s definite intention to make
three months’ supplies do duty for at least six. Fakhri himself
described the ration as an adequate one. Further, the later
batches of prisoners, who had presumably gone on to full
lations after Fakhri’s departure, reached Geria looking compara
tively well fed ; and finally, the Emirs on entering Medina
installed merchants and after feeding the 600 civilians remaining
trom the residue of the military stores decided that no further