[Un-numbered file] 'Diary of Colonel Hamilton's Visit to Nejd 1918' [‎80r] (159/206)

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keep a force in Kasim to check the Shammar and keep
his trikes in hand. If he were to attempt to overcome
Hon Rashid,he must have all the means required. He
did not wish 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 Mis
sion of the officers now on their way from Hassa to
discover a plan for his effective co-operation with
us and the Shereef in the work of expelling the
Turks from the Peninsula. Doubtless we would 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 Musabileh (access to markets) at
Katif, ^atar.Koweit, Zobair,Basrah,Khamsiyab,Sukes-
Sheyukh and the Euphrates including Nejif and Kerbe-
la. He would keep his agents there: one agent in
each market-town, who alone would be able to recom
mend grant of passes to the blockade officers
therein. This would force the Shammar and northern
Anizeh, Dhafir, and others to turn to him and then a
few months might make a great difference.
Secondly. He must have more pecuniary support,
Kovembdr 14 th.Went to the office of the Ameer where
was an informal Majlis,at which I talked with the
Ameer for about ■§- of an hour. Many subjects: the
Balkans Russia,the submarine campaign,Shakespear» s
refusal to believe that there could ever be a
European- War again and how he showed him a quota
tion from the Q.uran or the traditions that Moham
mad had foretold this world conflagration. Some
talk about Jesus return:How r the Mohammadans do not ^
believe him to have been crucified but to have
ascended into heaven to return on the last day.
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