File 57/1905 ‘Arabia: - Situation in Yemen (1905-11). Arab revolt against Turks. Imam of Sanaa’s letter to the King. Fighting in Yemen 1911. Agreement between the Turks & the Imam’ [‎34r] (72/692)

A.
\
/
• :
/)
■)
lins floou mcnt is the Property ot His Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
ASIATIC TURKEY AND ARABIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
[ 26810 ]
Mr. Cheetham to Sir Edward Grey.—(Received July 10.)
(No. 69. Confidential.)
Sir, ^ Ramleh, June 30, 1911.
I HA\ E the honour to transmit herewith copy of a note which I have received
from the Director of Intelligence in regard to communications which have passed
between the Turkish authorities and certain Arab notables in Egypt on the subject of
the Yemen and Asir.
I have, &c.
MILNE CHEETHAM.
[July 10.]
—
L27JUU9!,: S “" 6 '
v v ‘ i r r r >.
No. 1.
Enclosure in No. 1.
Isote by the Intelligence Department (Cairo).
(Secret.)
A TELEGRAM was received about the 15th June by the ex-Sherif of Mecca,
who is living here, from the Secretary of the Committee of Union and Progress, asking
him to persuade Mohammed Bey Elwi to go to Constantinople in connection with affairs
in the Yemen and Asir, and intimating that if he came all expenses would be paid by
the Turkish Government. The latter left for Constantinople on the 21st instant.
Elwi Bey, who comes of an old family which traces its descent on the father’s side
from the great Saladin and on the mother’s side from a daughter of the Prophet, was
for many years a dragoman of the Italian agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . On resigning this post some three
years ago he was given the title of honorary dragoman, which enables the Italian
agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. to still make use of him on special occasions.
Owing to his descent, Mohammed Bey Elwi is not only personally well known to
the Imam, Mohammed El Edris, and the Senussi, but keeps up a regular and intimate
correspondence with all three.
This invitation coinciding in dates with the recent news of a serious reverse to
Turkish arms near Gezan, indicates that the Ottoman authorities are desirous of
consulting Elwi Bey as to the best means of arriving at a settlement of affairs in the
Yemen and Asir without a further dispatch of troops, and possibly utilising him as a
go-between to arrange terms. The latter role Elwi Bey is prepared to fill on condition
that whatever terms are agreed upon shall be guaranteed by a European Power. His
inclinations are known to lean towards Great Britain being that Power.
In this connection the following information is also of interest: the Ottoman
representatives of the Yemen in the Turkish Parliament reached Egypt also about the
middle of June, and are staying now in Alexandria. On the 17th June they dispatched
a telegram to Cairo to Sheikh Belai El Yemeni couched in the following terms:
“ We have come here specially to inform you of the recognition of His Majesty the
Sultan of your good services, and to ask you to return with us to Constantinople, in
accordance with His Imperial Majesty’s orders for questions connected with El Y emeu.
We are awaiting your reply in Hotel Istambul.”
Sheikh Belal has gone down to Alexandria to see the representatives, but is
rather frightened to accept the invitation extended to him.
Sheikh Belal Ibn Obeid Yehia El Yemeni is a native of Hodeidah, and was head
sheikh of the Morghania Tarika in the Yemen. He came to Egj pt seyeial j eais ago
and acquired a reputation as a spiritual healer of diseases. He has since mained a
daughter of rich parents and has given up his spiritual doctoring. He is a man of
[2101 6]