'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎5r] (9/434)

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11. Saleh Jaffer informed me that the Governor Saif-al-Islam al Hussein,
fourth son of the Iman, was sick and that the Assistant Governor, Kazi Ali Bin
Hussein Al-Amri would receive my call. I landed at 1600 and was met by
a guard and band about 120 strong and several of the principal Officials of the
district were presented to me before proceeding to the Government Offices.
My reception was most friendly and it was obvious that a visit from one of
H. M. Ships was considered an honour. The Governor sent a message saying
how sorry he was not to be able to meet me. He invited me to send a telegram
to the Iman which I did expressing pleasure at the opportunity of visiting
HOD El DA and appreciation of my reception. The Iman replied thanking me
for my message and welcoming our arrival.
Later in the day a dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. came off bringing gifts from the Governor con
sisting of 2 oxen, 3 sheep, chickens, eggs, coffee, and bananas. In return I sent
some cases of tinned fruits, jams and syrup, which it is believed are appreciated.
12. The following morning the Acting Governor accompanied by Saleh
Jaffer and three members of Al Hussein’s Staff returned my call. He was
showm over the ship in which he displayed great interest and expressed a hope
that we would pay more frequent visits to HODE1DA. As he was unquestion
ably acting in the place of the Governor who was sick, I gave him a salute^ of
15 guns on leaving, this being the number accorded by British and Italian
warships on previous visits.
From information obtained from the Political Clerk, it appears that the
Iman, while secretly encouraging the revolt in ASIR, is not giving any open
support.
Proceeded at 1130 and returned to K AM ARAN.
13. Kamaran ,—On 21st November about 95 refugees including 50 male
adults, arrived, mostly from GIZAN ; amongst these were Seyyid Abid,
accompanied by his cousin Seyyid Hussein and a party of 30. Abid had hoped
to receive an answer to his letter with request for an agreement and handed
a further letter to the Administrator with definite suggestions including pro
posals for a grant by the Idrissi of Oil and Salt concessions in FARTS AN and
GTZAN respectively'in return for help. The text of this letter was passed to
ADEN.
14. Abid accompanied by Hussein called on me on 23rd November. He was in
formed beforehand that I could in no way discuss the rights and wrongs of the
political situation ; an arrangement to which he endeavoured to comply but
w r as unable to resist, expressing bitter feelings against Ibn Sa’ud stating also
that all the Idrissians needed were arms and ammunition and that they were
more afraid of the Iman than Ibn Sa’ud.
In the course of conversation he mentioned having visited H. M. S* “ ODIN ”
some years ago at GIZAN and asked why no British Warships came there now.
•V
Abid is a pleasant, plausible fellow with a keen sense of humour and his
troubles do not appear to weigh heavily upon him. Hussein had little to say.
15. On 24th November Abid was informed by the Administrator that he
must leave the island and he sailed for MASSAWA on the 25th. Later it was
reported that, on encountering some Idrissian dhows and hearing that the
Idrissi was about to start a new offensive, he transhipped, sent his family on
to MASSAWA, and landed at MADAYA (about half way between GIZAN and
MEDI). Confirmation of this has been received and it is since reported that
SABI A and the Wells at GIZAN have been recovered by the Idyissians. The
Sa’udi troops in GIZAN are obtaining water from FARISAN.
A wounded Saudi soldier who arrived with two others from GIZAN on 23rd
November is being treated in the hospital.
Proceeded on patrol w'est of the reef area at 1600 on 30th November.
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