'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎193r] (385/434)

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Enclosure in Colonial Office covering letter No. P.Z.-4922|37, dated the 26th July
1937.
(Received on 15th August 1937, ivith Political Secretary’s letter No. 230, dated
29th July 1937.)
Letter from Governor, Aden, to Secretary of State for Colonies, London,
No. Secret-2, dated the 30th June 1937.
With reference to my Secret despatch of the 26th May 1937, on the subject
of the extension of Italian influence on the Red Sea Littoral and in Aden Pro
tectorate territory, I have the honour to inform you that about three weeks ago
persistent rumours were in circulation that an Italian warship had sent ashore
agents in the Subeihi country, to the west of Aden, and that these agents had
distributed arms and money to certain inhabitants of that district. It was not
possible to obtain any definite or circumstantial reports regarding these inci
dents, but in view of the persistence of the rumours, it seemed desirable that
investigations should be conducted as to their accuracy.
2. On the 18th of June therefore I sent the Second Political Officer, Captain
the Honourable R. A. B. Hamilton, to the Subeihi country, and between that date
^ and June the 25th, he visited five different centres in the area concerned while
a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. acting under his orders visited Perim and Sheikh Sa’id.
3. As a result of his investigation, Captain Hamilton has come to the con
clusion that within the last two months the Italians have turned their attention to
the deep anchorage that lies to the west of Ras al Ara on the coast between Aden
and Perim. He further thinks that they have established some sort of communi
cation with the shore ; there were repeated references by the local Arabs to “ a
white-painted steamer ” which had approached the land, and to a vessel described
as a submarine that had been seen on several occasions near the shore.
4. It seems possible that the Italians may have explored, in submarines, the
Ras-al-Ara anchorage ; and it is averred that during the last two months Italian
submarines have frequently been seen between Ras-al-Ara and Bir Saqeiya.
Finally, it is reported that Italian agents have visited Saqeiya and another
village in the vicinity and have lectured the people on the weakness of Britain
and the strength of Italy.
5. You will, no doubt, appreciate the extreme difficulty of establishing the
truth or falsehood of such reports ; for naturally, as soon as it is known that
investigations to that end are being made, it is hard to find anyone who will admit
to any knowledge which might connect him with the subversive activities of a
foreign power. But, while I am satisfied that no “ gun-running ”, or distri
bution of money on a large scale has recently taken place within the Protecto
rate, I am nevertheless forced to the conclusion that Italian agents have, of late,
been active in the Subeihi country.
6 . This attempt to introduce Italian influence into the Arabian mainland
adjacent to Sheikh Said would be in keeping with the suspected Italian design
of securing control of both coasts of the southern Red Sea, and of thereby
^ gaining command of the Straits of Bab-el-Mandab, in the furtherance of which
project Italy is believed recently to have fortified Dumeira and Rsheita on the
African shore opposite Perim.
7. At this stage I desire merely to acquaint you with the situation as it has
presented itself to me, and to state that I am considering what steps should be
taken locally to counteract these activities. At present, I am examining the
possibility of adopting two complementary measures ; the establishment in the
Subeihi country of posts from which reliable information could be collected and
rcp0I ii fi ( ii I HVm tlie °l His tlle Sultan of Lahej to take a more
active interest in a thorough surveillance of the Subeihi country.
8 . I propose shortly to submit to you a further report with my recom
mendations for dealing with the situation.
Enclosure 1 to Serial No. (65).
Demi-official letter from B. R. Reilly, Esq., Governor, Aden, to H. R. Cowell,
Esq., C.M.G., Colonial Office, London, No. C.-768, dated the 30th June
1937.
I enclose, for your information, copies of a letter addressed to me by H. E.
the Naval Commander-in-Chief, East indies Station, and of my reply.
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