File 600/1905 Pt 6 'Aden Hinterland: Upper Yaffai; treaties with Sultan Kahtan and other Chiefs' [‎78r] (151/212)

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''telegram No. 433-E.A., dated the 6th Fdbruary 1904.
From—Foreign Secretary Calcutta,
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.
Your letters 379 and 380 of 18th January. Treaties with Shaibi and
Upper Aulnki Chief of Yeshbum ratified on 5th February 1901.
Addressed Bombay, Political, repeated Resident, Aden.
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No. 865, dated Bombay Castle, the 3rd February 1804 (Confidential).
From—The Pon bi.e Mr. S. W. Edgerley, C I.K., I.C.S., Acting Chief 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. , Puliti-al Department,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
With reference to your telegram, dated the 16th January 1904, I have the
honour to forward, for the information of the Government of India, the
accompanying copy of a letter £»o. 12, dated the loth idem, from the Political
Resident, Aden, submitting the Protectorate 'Treaty (in triplicate) concluded
by him with Sharif Ahmad-am-Mohsin, Chief of Behan-al-Kasab.
2 . In forwarding these papers, I am to observe that the Governor in
Council is of opinion that the geographical position of the Behan*al*Kasab
tribe alone is sufficient to render it desirable to conclude a Protectorate Treaty
with them, and I am further to recommend the proposal of the Resident for
the grant of a stipend of $30 per mensem to the Chief.
No. 12, dated Aden 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. , the 15th January 1904.
From— Major-Geneeal P. J. Maitland, C.B., 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—The Hon'ble Mr. S. W. Edgerley. C.I.E., I.C S., Acting Chief 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.
I have the honour to report that shortly after the despatch of my telegram
of 20th December, the Chief of Behan-al-Knsab, Sharif Ahmad*am-Mohsin un
expectedly arrived in Aden with Salim bin Alt bin Nimran, the Sheikh of the
Muradi tribe; Ali bin Husen, nephew of the ruling Sheikh of the Musahain;
and Muhammad bin Shamak bin Ghanam, the son of the Chief of the Bal
Harith. These men were brought by the Sharif as the representatives of the
three principal Arab tribes in his district. They collectively desired that they
might he formally taken under British protection.
2. This is the second visit we have received from Sharif Ahmad. He came
to Dthala in September last, and asked that the frontier of his district might
be surveyed, with a view to demarcation. This is a most unusual request.
Even those who are sincerely anxious to be protected from Turkish domination,
regard survey operations with suspicion, and very frequently with dislike.
3. The geographical position of Behan-al-Kasab was explained in my letter
No. 341 of 30th December. It is the lower part of the tract drained by the
Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Behan, which runs into the desert. It is adjacent to the territory of the
Aulaki Sultan of Nisab, and there is no doubt that he claims and exercises some
sort of suzerainty over it. With reference to the telegram from the Secretary
to the Government of India in the Foreign Department, dated 10th January
(replied to on 12th January) I would observe that Behan-al-Kasab appears to me
to be so closely connected, both geographically and politically, with the Aulaki
country, and also with Beda, that its exclusion from the British Protectorate
would not only be disliked by both, and possibly resented by the Aulaki Sultan,
but would give to the Turkish Officials a vantage ground for intrigue which
they would be likely to use to the detriment of British interests.
4 . Various efforts have been made by the Turks to obtain a footing in
Behan-al-Kasab, or at least to create a party there, but so far, I believe, without
much result. Should we, however, deliberately hand over the district to Turkey,