[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎24r] (47/206)

to keep concentrated for more than a few days in one locality. So that anything
like prolonged operations against Hail with such levies was not to he thought
of. Besides the business of getting these numerous clans together he has to
arrange for the safety of his provinces of Qasim and Hasah and to leave strong
Governors of his family with sufficient garrisons. A revolt of the hl-Murrah
or an attack by the Ajman might prove disastrous if it took place while he
was far away with all his fighting men. Thus, the first thing to he thought
of when planning a distant operation would be the internal defence garrisons.
The Sherif’s system of paying a monthly wage to individual Arabs of £6 a month,
or whatever the amount, was tantamount to making mercenary soldiers of
them; this was not, in his opinion, an expedient method for him (B. S.)
to adopt. His tribesmen were Mujahidin who served and fought for honour,
not for pay. However, he could easily do the same if necessary and, perhaps,
accomplish better results. But with his subsidy of £5,000 per mensem it was
impossible ; all he could do was to keep a force in Qasim to check the Shammar
and keep his tribes in hand. If he were to attempt to overcome Ibn Bashid
he must have all the means required. He did not Avish to share the fate of the
English General who, he says, was sent Home a prisoner for having attempted
to take Baghdad with inadequate troops and material ”. I told him that the
object of the mission of the officers now on their w r ay from Hasah is to discover
a plan for his effective co-operation with us and the Sherif in the work of
expelling the Turks from the Peninsula, Doubtless, we w 7 ould be able to hit on
some arrangement after discussion.
But what was his idea ?
He said: —
Firstly .—The economic question. He should have control of all his tribes
in the matter of musabilah (access to markets) at Katif, Qatar, Kuwait,
Zubair, Basrah, Khamisiyah, Suqual Shuyukh, and the Euphrates, including
Najaf and Karbala. He would keep his agents there; one agent in each
market town, who alone would be able to recommend grant of passes to the
blockade officers therein. This would force the Shammar, northern ‘Anaizah,
Dhafir, and others to turn to him and then a few months might make a great
difference.
Secondly .—He must have more pecuniary support.
14th November .—Went to the office of the Amir, w'here was an informal
rr .roo t, vnarv mejlis, at which I talked with the Amir
Temp- 72 . Bar. 2 760 . ^ for about f hour. Many subjects-the
Balkans, Bussia, the submarine campaign, Shakespear’s refusal to believe that
there could ever be a European war again, and how he show ed him a quot
ation from the Quran, or the tradition that Muhammad had foretold this world-
conflagration. Some talk about Jesus’ return ; how the Muhammadans do not
believe him to have been crucified but to have ascended into heaven to return
on the last day. Then w T ent out into town and visited some shops. Saw a few
jibbuns and handkerchiefs, but nothing of good quality. Inspected camels and
visited ‘Abdul ‘Aziz and the Hamlah, who have a house at the end of the Suq. Had
coffee with them. Saw ‘Ali al Dhuwaihi there; he referred to my leaving bim
in the lurch when we came into Biadh. Poor old man ; he cannot keep up any
pace at all. After breakfast worked till 1 p. M. Slept half an hour aud then
w r ent out for a ride to one of the Amir’s gardens with ‘Abdul ‘Aziz al Babayi
( ) and 2 other horsemen. Had coffee in the garden. Saw the
splendid well; but water about 100 ft. below surface worked by large donkeys
w orking up and down a ramp on both sides ( ). Cost of upkeep of well
about 200 dollers per mensem. Fruit teees of all sorts, chillies, and egg plants.
Bode back.
After supper, with our company, the Mullah and the rest went off to prayers
in the mosque in the Palace. I sat writing until 8 p. m., when I w r ent over to
Bin Sand’s private room and stayed till 10-25 discussing politics. Bin Saud
told me of a wonderful dream he had about the capture of Damascus and its
destruction by him. He said he thought that with some help he and his tribes
could capture Damascus. I said that was a splendid idea. Of course. Hail
and the Shammar stand in the w r ay. Ibn Bashid cannot be bought; of that