File 3498/1912 ‘Aden News Letters’ [‎119r] (248/598)

SECRET.
37th Weekly Letter^
Dated Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the 21st September 1914.
From—The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. at Aden,
To—L. Robertson, Esq., Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ,
The Audali Chief has come in to Aden to sign the Protectorate Treaty, approv
ed by Government, and will then proceed on a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina.
The Beda Chief has sent a letter to me couched in a somewhat independent
and importunate tone. He states that, unless I can promise to pay his stipend,
commencing from his last visit to Aden, and to give him 100 rifles with ammunition,
2 cannons and gun-powder, he will not sign the Treaty. I have not replied to his
letter, and propose to remain silent, until I can know more about his real intentions.
In the meantime, I would invite your attention to my letter No. C.-326, dated 18th
July 1914.
2. The Haushabi Sultan came in to Aden yesterday to sign the Treaty about
the safety of the Aden-Dala road.
The Kotaibi promised to come in to sign his Treaty after the Ramadan Id,
but he has not yet turned up.
3. Pldase see paragraph 3 of the Weekly Letter of the 22nd August, and the
Weekly Letter of the 29th August, in which I reported on the professions of loyalty
tendered by the Protected Chiefs. It would have been a good thing if, as
requested in my telegram of 11th instant, a recognition of this loyalty had been
publicly made, as has been done with regard to Indian Chiefs. From a telegram,
dated 18th September 1914, received from Foreign, Simla, it appears that our
intimation regarding the Arab Chiefs arrived too late for announcement.
4. M. Roux, the French Consul at Hodeida, reports that there is a pro-German
feeling in that part, and the wildest rumours are circulated as to the losses of the
Allied Forces. He remarks, however, that the ‘ hoi polloiand the merchants
generally sympathise with Great Britain and France.
Turkish gun-boats are active between Djazan and Mokha capturing sumbuks.
5. The Turks are said to be enrolling a national army of Arabs at Sana'a and
are paying the men $ 12.
The Government have forbidden the export of food stuffs to foreign ports,
and also the export of gold. The Maria Theresa dollar has fallen in value, and
notes are not negotiable.
Dated Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the 21st (received the 29th) September 1914.
Endorsed by the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Aden.
Copy forwarded, with compliments, to the Deputy Secretary to the Govern
ment of India, Foreign and Political Department, Simla.
G. M. Press, Simla.—No. C. 472 F.D.—1-10-14—16.—C.W.M.
India, Foreign Fecretaiwv
No 4 O Wl, dated
1 OCT <914