File 600/1905 Pt 6 'Aden Hinterland: Upper Yaffai; treaties with Sultan Kahtan and other Chiefs' [‎55r] (105/212)

Accompaniments to the letter No. 8304, dated the 22nd December 1905, to the
Government of India, Foreign Department.
j.
Letter No. 6857, dated the 6th November 1905.
From—Major-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 j
To—The Honourable Mr. S. W. Edoerley, c.i.e., Chief Secretary to Government,
Political Department, Bombay.
I have the honour to forward, for the consideration of Government, copy of
a memorandum dated the 30th August last drawn up by Major H. F. Jacob,
concerning the affairs of Sultan Kahtan bin Omar of the Upper Yaffai,
2, I have issued orders for the payment of YafFai stipends at the enhanced
rate sanctioned in Government Hesolution No. 1370, dated the 1st March
1905, subject to the understanding therein prescribed and I have accepted
Major Jacob’s suggestion to, for the present, withhold this concession from
Sultan Kahtan.
3. As to the policy to be now pursued, it must of course be admitted that
the present position under which our nominee continues to lack support and
remains practically unrecognized and unrespected by his tribe is undesirable
and pregnant with possible mischief. This office letter No. 224, dated the
2nd August 1903, first communicated the fact that Sultan Kahtan’s advances to
the British Government had resulted in a sort of domestic revolution amongst
his adherents and his practical deposition. It was hoped at that time that this
was the work of only a section of the tribe and that Sultan Kahtan would be
able to reinstate himself upon his return to his country.
4. It is not clear from the records whether he ever actually ma'le any
real progress in that direction, but a treaty was concluded with him at D’thala
in October 1903 and the fact was communicated to Government in this office
letter JSo. 285, dated the 22nd October 1903.
5. Since then hostilities and differences have continued between Sultan
Kahtan and his^brother Saleh bin Omar and hitherto Sultan Kahtan has failed
to re-establish nimself in the position which he occupied before he first came to
Adeu and the loss cf which was due to that visit. Incidental reference has
been made to this petty warfare in this office letter No. 54, dated 2nd
March ^1904, and in letter No. 6190, dated the 12th October last, Sultan
Kahtan s deposition was also alluded to in explaining certain account objections
m regard to the non-adjustment of the 3,000 dollars advanced to the Political
Officer at D thala to assist Sultan Kahtan towards paying blood-money in
satisfaction of certain deaths which took place in the fighting which ensued
between him and his brother shortly after Sultan Kahtan’s deposition.
6. Colonel Scallon has left upon record his approval of the suggestion
that the Balahaf precedent should be followed and that the Political Officer at
Id tha a should now be authorized to summon to D’thala or to some other
suitable place the leading Sheikhs and personages of the Upper Yaffai with
a View to either the reinstatement of Sultan Kahtan or the election of some
other Sultan. In the event of the decision being adverse to Sultan Kahtan, he
was of opinion that the balance of deposit 1,500 dollars still with Major Jacob
should be paid to him by way of compensation for the loss of prestige and
position for which his connection with this Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. appears to have been
primarily responsible. Colonel Scallon considered that this payment should bo
made in hnal settlement of Sultan Kahtan’s claims upon Government.
Q . ^ “ would a PP ear the most convenient under the circum
stances, but it is I think a matter for consideration whether in view of the main
awkward fact that Sultan Kahtan’s deposition was due to his acceptance of our
Pol 1597—2