File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎175r] (345/508)

~f feLl ^ ,icb h0 ' d Shaib in a PP a “^. for redress of its
wrongs, it nas been my endeavour for some time to checkmate fln'a
intervention, and I have used Sheikh Ali Mohsin to this end. ^e^s^ especially
interested to make reparation for his past misdeeds. I think I have succeede/
of ^ en the u ^ ex P ected tlia t happens and it was necessary to nip this
insurrection in the hud, rather than face the possibility of increased and active
ghting which would have necessitated our intervention on a larger scale, and
have exposed our numerical weakness, which I consider a grave political error.
Moral support of the Amir is our role, but this phrase would have been
meaningless on Wednesday and mischievous in effect if not translated into
terms of active co-operation.
Yet another factor : Turkish sojourn at Jalila for 30 years. Contempt for
the Amir was drilled into the Shairis during that time, and it is absurd to
expect to reverse the feeling after a paltry three years’ stay here. It has been mv
aim here to reconcile parties, and after 20 months’ patient dealing I have been
reluctantly, but imperatively obliged to pursue other tactics. “Nothing
succeeds like success ” is an apt maxim for Wednesday’s display. We must
show^ the {Shairis that the Amir is their overlord and aid him to consolidate his
position by hook or by crook, looking to a time when he may be possibly called
upon to stand alone. If he fails, with an unruly people twixt himself and the
deserted Turkish border, there will be confusion worse confounded, and a return
to affairs analogous to that before 1900, save that the chaos would be still
more pronounced.
I trust my action will receive your approval.
The 17th August 1906. H. E. JACOB.
^With compliments to the Political Eesident. I would testify to Major
Koe’s cordial co-operation which alone rendered these tactics successful.
The 17th August 1906.
H. E. JACOB, Major,
*
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Pthala.
No. 7275, dated Bombay Castle, the 25th October 1906.
From—The Hon’ble Sir Stetning W. Edgerley, K.C.V.O., C.I.E., Chief Secre
tary 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. , Political Department,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department,
I am directed to refer to the telegram, dated the 29th June 1906, 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 your address, regarding the withdrawal of the
troops from Dthala, in conformity with the instructions contained in the
Secretary of State’s despatch No. 20, dated the 4jth May 1906. I am to say
that orders are still awaited in the matter, and that in the meantime the alloca
tion of troops at Aden is understood to be the same as it was before the receipt
of the Secretary of State’s despatch.