File 600/1905 Pt 6 'Aden Hinterland: Upper Yaffai; treaties with Sultan Kahtan and other Chiefs' [‎90r] (175/212)

20 . Nevertheless, it was impossible to conclude a treaty with a Sultan
who admitted that he had been deposed in his own town, though this act might
be only the work of a small portion of the tribe headed by his personal enemies.
I therefore informed Sultan Kahtan that I should he unable to discuss anv
agreement with him at present, but that, when he recovered his position, 1
should be happy to enter into negotiations. He was naturally disappointed,
and pointed out that he would lose prestige if he were now to go hack without
a treaty, but, of course, tins did not alter the facts of the case. All that we
could do was to be somewhat more liberal in the matter of presents than would
otherwise have been the case, and to be especially careful not to diminish in
any way the personal respect with which he was treated. Sultan Kahtan has
now left in a fairly contented state of mind, and it is possible that we may
soon hear of the retirement of Saleh, who, according to Captain Warneford, is
a somewhat unwilling actor in the affair. Personally, however, I am inclined
to think that this event will not take place very soon, and that there may be a
struggle of some duration before matters are finally settled.
21 . The incident shows that there is still a good deal of distrust among
the Yaffai (see my telegram of 18th April 1903), but, on the other hand, there
appears to have been recently some approach to an understanding between the
main factions of the tribe, the principal men on both sides having to a certain
extent sunk their differences, and agreed on a policy of friendship with the
British Government. The movement against Sultan Kahtan has doubtless
been engineered by the pro-Turkish party, with or without assistance from
Kataba. Stories have been spread by the Turks of disasters in Somaliland,
and their own speedy return to Jihaf and Jalela. To these tales colour has
been given by the despatch of the detachments of British and Native infantry
to Berbera last month, and more recently by the orders for the move of the
Sapper Company from Dthala. No doubt encouragement has thus been given
to the minority who, from fanaticism or jealousy, are inclined to the Turks, and
they have played on the feelings of some of the much larger number who are
simjdy suspicious.
22 . The treaties with the Dthubi and the Mausatta are forwarded by this
mail in a separate cover. I would ask that, if they are approved by Govern
ment, they may now be ratified. I hoped to have been able to send the treaties
with Sultan Kahtan and with the Muflahi section as well, so that all four
agreements might have been ratified together. But, in the circumstances
which now exist, I am of opinion that it would be preferable not to delay the
conclusion of the treaties with the Dtlmbi and Mausatta. These sections
together represent about two-thirds of the whole tribe; and if they will act in
concert, must dominate the remainder. I think that by the ratifying the
treaties and commencing payment of the stipends, they would receive the
support which it is desirable they should have in order to induce them to
actively intervene in favour of Kahtan, or at least for the suppression of the
pro-Turkish party. But if the treaties are ratified, I should he glad to be
permitted to select the moment when the announcement of the ratification
should be made.
Treaty with the Dthubi section of the Yaffai-as-Saffal.
The British Government and Muhammad Muthanna-bin-Atif Jaber and
his brother, Amr Muthanna-bin-Atif Jaber, the Sheikhs of the Dthubi
section of the tribe Yaffai-as-Saffal, being desirous of entering into relations of
peace and friendship :
The British Government have named and appointed Brigadier-General
Pelham James 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. at Aden, to conclude a treaty
for this purpose.
The said Brigadier-General Pelham James Maitland, C.B., and the Sheikhs
Muhammad Muthanna-bin-Atif Jaber and Amr Muthanna-bin-Atif Jaber,
aforesaid, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles :
I.—There shall be peace and friendship between the British and the
Dthubi. The subjects of the British and the tribesmen of the Dthubi shall each