'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎130r] (264/308)

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could not be accepted without material alteration. No arrangements will, of
course, be proceeded with pending receipt of the orders of the Government of
India, and I am only to remark generally that this Government 'would regard
with favour a scheme for the construction of a lino at all events as far as Nobat
Dakim.
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J ccompaniments to letter to the Secretary to the Goner ament of India,
Foreign Department, No. 2571, dated 22nd April 1905.
Telegram, dated the 9th February 1905,
From—C. H A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Seeretary 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— Major-Geseral H. M. Mason, 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. , Aden.
Your letter No. 475, dated the 29th January last. Please examine matter
in light of treaties of 1843, 1841 and 1849 ; also in light of Government of India
orders connected with mining and prospecting concessions passed in numerous
cases ending with Kirkpatrick’s, and report by letter your opinion as to terms
and conditions which should be imposed on any agreement which could be
recognised by Government.
No. 1089, dated the 26th February 1903.
From—M ajor-General H. M. Mason, 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. , Aden,
To—C. H. A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary 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.
In compliance with the request contained in your telegram dated the 9th
instant, I have the honour to submit, for the consideration of Government, the
following report concerning the railway agreement referred to in my letter
No. 475, dated the 29th ultimo, and as to the terms and conditions which
should, in my opinion, be imposed on any agreement which could be recognized
by Government.
2. In regard to the attitude adopted in the matter by the Abdali Sultan
in assuming that, as the proposed Kailway lies within his own limits, no
reference to the British Government or to its representative in Aden is necessary,
I have the honour to remark that this is not only opposed to Indian Political,
Practice in regard to both direct dealings between Native States and capitalists
and also to negotiations on the subject of Bailway pr Mining or any other
concessions, but that it is further clearly inconsistent with the actual Treaty
relations into which the Abdali Sultan has entered with the British Govern
ment.
3. In Article 9 of the Treaty executed in 1849, he has declared that
in all things relating to the peace, progress and prosperity ^ of Aden he
wull lend his utmost aid to support the interests of the British, and that
he will listen to and, if possible, attend to the advice of the British Govern
ment representative at Aden in all matters. And in his treaty of 18G7 he
has already, in regard to both an aqueduct and a road leading from British
limits into his territory, admitted certain principles and rights of intervention
and control by Government which must logically be held equally applicable to
the case of a railway.
4. It does not seem open to question that such a thing as a Bailway
which is projected to run from a point immediately adjacent to British limits
into the Aden Hinterland is a thing which does closely concern the peace,
progress and prosperity of Aden : and there does not therefore appear to be
any room for hesitation in asserting that in point of fact the Abdali Sultan is
bound to consult and to attend to the advice of the Political Besident at Aden
in regard to such a project.
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