'Memorandum Regarding the Relations with the Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden, especially in Reference to the Amir of Zhali.' [‎111r] (3/4)

Memorandum by Lieutenant-General J. W. Schneider, C.B.
8, Queensborough Terrace, W.,
T # 1st October 1885.
1 letum tlie proof of Major Hunter’s Memorandum, which he asked me to
look over, showing the corrections which seem necessary.
I also send a few remarks on a separate paper, in case they should prove
acceptable.
(Signed) J. W. Schneider.
There is no doubt that the position of the Amir Ali Mokhbil of Zhali has
changed considerably during the past ten years. Ali Mokhbil is now unable
to control the so-called Amiri territory. Internal disorders prevail there;
several tribes or villages have gone over to the Turks, while others have
seceded from the Amir and are acting independently. Material and moral
support has been given to Ali Mokhbil, and he continues helpless to regain
what he claims.
I apprehend that the British Government is not prepared to support a
petty Chief by physical force against the wishes of his tribesmen, and it
seems to me that the time has arrived when Ali Mokhbil might be told that,
under existing circumstances, the British Government is not disposed to
afford him further countenance. I should not recommend that Ali Mokhbil
be “ invited ” to accept a pension for himself and perhaps his immediate
successor. It might be sufficient to inform him that his present subsidy
would be continued so long as he is recognized as Amir by a considerable
portion of his tribesmen. The further continuance of his subsidy to himself
or successor might rest on the course of future events.
The difficulty of delimitation of the Amiri country now consists in the
accomplished fact that villages south of Zhali have of their own free will
submitted to the Turks, rather than accept the Amir’s authority, while
others, as already observed, have seceded from Ali Mokhbil, acting as inde
pendent Shaikhs, and levying transit dues on their own account.
In ceasing to interfere with the Amir’s affairs, there is of course the possi
bility hereafter of the Amiri territory being absorbed into the Kaataba
district, and of the commencement of Turkish aggression against the Alowi,
the next neighbouring Chief. The officials of the Porte might commence to
dispute the right of the Alowi to some of the villages he now holds, asserting
that they belonged to the Amiri territory; or it might be that intrigues
would be commenced, to induce some of the Shaikhs under the Alowi to
make their submission to the Porte ; but this is a contingency that must of
necessity be accepted, if further friction with the Porte in respect of Ali
Mokhbil’s claims and complaints are to be avoided.
The chief object to be kept in view is to keep the Turks on the highlands
of Yemen, as distinct from the Tehamma or lowlands in the vicinity of Aden,
which, I believe, may be said to almost commence from the northern
boundary of the Alowi territory.
The fresh treaties and engagements with subsidized Chiefs proposed by
Major Hunter will probably meet the requirements of the situation. It will
be remembered that the Haushabi was the only Chief who gave trouble in
1873, by making his submission to tlie Porte when Turkish interference com
menced with the subsidized tribes around Aden ; and this only arose from a
11595. I. 1550.