"ملف 61/11 VII (D 122) مسائل متنوعة خاصة بالحجاز ونجد" [ظ‎‎١‎٧‎٦] (٤٥٤/٣٧١)

2
confidence in us, and the Italians' aggression against Ethiopia has gone far to
transferring his suspicions to them. These developments may tend to accelerate
the process of strengthening our ties with the Yemen, and of so bringing it into a
British rather than an Italian orbit.
I am not disposed to press forward the Anglo-Yemeni rapprochement too
rapidly, and at present we at Aden are limiting ourselves to giving the Yemenis
good advice when asked for (as, for example, recently about the defences of Sheikh
Said), and to cultivating the good neighbourly relations that have existed since
the signing of the treaty. On the other hand, if the alarm that now exists in the
Yemen with regard to Italian designs against Sheikh Said and the adjacent
Yemen coast, including Mocha, continues, it is possible that the King of the
Yemen will make further and more direct overtures for British help in fortifying
and protecting his coastal districts against Italian intrusion. Should this
happen, I shall, of course, report to you officially, and shall not commit myself
in any way without instructions. I mention the possibility now, as I should be
glad to know your general views with regard to the attitude that we should adopt
in the event of Yemeni suggestions for closer co-operation with us, and especially
of requests for our help in obtaining armaments.
Yours, &c.
B. R. REILLY.
(2)
Mr. Courtney to Sir C. Parkinson.
Air Ministry, King sway,
Dear Parkinson, N or ember
I HE following is an extract from a letter we have received from Air Chief
Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham, subsequent to the visit which he paid to
Aden towards the end of October :—
Fhere is a certain amount of excitement about the Yemen at Aden.
As you doubtless know, the Italians have asked the Imam to allow them to
send sick and wounded to Mocha. The Imam has so far refused, but he has
indicated to Reilly that he would like to know what would be the attitude of
Great Britain if the Italians use force. Reilly expects to have a very definite
question on this subject sent to him by the Imam in the near future. I don't
know what the answer is. We certainly don't want the Italians there, and
it would be very awkward if they occupied Sheikh Said, which is the
peninsula at the extreme southern end of the Red Sea on the Arabian side.
Guns mounted here and at the corner of Eritrea could make exit from the
Red bea very uncomfortable. I feel very definitely that we cannot allow
them to occupy the southern end of the Yemen at all events."
I am sending a similar letter to Rendel and O'Malley.
Yours, &c.
C. L. COURTNEY.
E 6305/15/91
(3)
Extract from Aden Secret Political Intelligence Summary No. 454 for the
Week ending October 2, 1935.
# * * * # #
1 . o 522 ' 1 Itif.sported from Am Nabia that on or about the 15th September
as eiyid Ali-bin-al-\\ azir, the Officer Commanding Taiz, accompanied by the
£. mi s of 1 aiz and Mocha, arrived at Sheikh Said escorted by fifty soldiers.
is said that the bakeries at the Sheikh Said fort are being rebuilt, while
consignments of flour, rice, and cement are being landed. The arrival of more
soldiers is imminently expected.
^ ^ ^thorities are said to have organised a military post at Dubab,
north of Sheikh Said, and manned it with fifteen soldiers.