'File 8/15 Arab Series - 1933-1939' [‎28v] (56/434)

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Custom and other charges, besides, he sends his soldiers every now and then
with various warnings if I fail to do so, so I beg your honour to kindly see into
this matter and approach the Imam Government and see the Chiei Commis
sioner of Aden and speak about my grievances and recommend that I may have
a rifle and 50 rounds, as well as my soldiers who are ten in number in Bir
Sokeiya, for our own defence. I understand that the load between I erim to
Sokeiya’vio Sheikh-Said is not allowed to be used by us, and if I happen to pass
through there, I shall be put in prison by the chief of Sheikh-Said. Sir, I
understand your honour is sailing this afternoon, and if you do not try and come
to our shores and see our circumstances personally I shall come along with your
honour also, if you would like to give me a lift. If the amberi chief of Sheikh-
Said will take customs dues on dhows callings, then where are we to go as it
would not be paving to dhowmen with their scanty freight that they get to call
anvmore to Sokeiya, and besides this the Chief of Sheikh-Said closed the road
for us, as to why we are in favour of British, but we know from our forefather
that British rules from Aden to Sokeiya but the treats of the chief of Sheikh-
Said makes us nervous, and we are in danger any time.
I need not say more, and I leave it to your honour to judge this, and give us
justice.
Enclosure 3 to Serial No. (49).
APPENDIX No. I.
Enclosure to E. M. S. “ Penzance ’’—Report of Proceedings for the period 2nd
September to 1st October 1933.
Visit of ’Aqil of Bir Suqaiya.
I have the honour to report that the ’Aqil of Bir Suqaiya visited H. M. S.
“ Penzance ” this morning and presented the enclosed letter. It appears that
he came to Perim on Saturday last with the intention ot seeking an interview
with Mr. Sinclair, but was recommended instead to call on me.
2. I interrogated the ’Aqil with the object of elucidating his complaints, and
gathered the following information :—
{a) A small force of Yemeni troops at Sheik-Said forbid the passage of
traffic from the Protectorate to Perim through that port. The
’Aqil had on this occasion made the entire journey by sea.
(5) Since the visit of Lieutenant Hamilton to Suqaiya (about 14th
instant) an armed Yemeni soldier appeared and demanded arrears
of tax, in compliance with which 50 MT dollars were accordingly
paid.
(c) Five days ago, a further demand was made for camel and goat tax,
but there being no money in the exchequer the envoy was told that
payment must be deferred.
3. I could see nothing to be gained by visiting Suqaiya in the ship, and
therefore told the ’Aqil that my programme would not permit of this deviation.
If weather conditions permit, I propose to visit Suqaiya for a few hours on
Thursday 28th September, while on passage to Aden.
Enclosure 4 to Serial No. (49).
APPENDIX NO. IT.
Enclosure to E. M. S. “ Penzance ’’—Report of Proceedings for the period 2nd
September to 1st October 1933.
In amplification of my wireless message timed 12-40 of this date and in
continuation of mv report No. 1115i6, dated 25th September, I have the honour
to inform you that H. M. S. “ Penzance ” arrived off Bir Suqaiya at 09-00 this
morning.
2. Accompanied by my Interpreter I landed immediately and was cordially
received by Shiekh Ahmed Ali Fateh, who had himself only arrived one hour
previously, in a Perim dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. .
3. No further developments in the situation in the village have occurred
since the ’Aqil’s departure, neither is there any local intelligence of a recent