File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎122v] (28/152)

Balaliaf in the B.LM.S. Dalhousie at 6 p.m m on the 22nd instant, arriving at
the latter place on the 23rd idem at 7 p.m.
2. It was hoped that Mohsin bin Saleh would be either at Balahaf or at
his usual head-quarters, Izzan, about 50 miles from Balahaf. Immediately on
arrival I sent my interpreter on shore. He brought back news that Mohsin
was neither at Balahaf nor at Izzan, but had proceeded to some place about
24 hours’ journey further away from Izzan, and that even if intimation were
to be sent to Mohsin by the quickest means available, it would not be possible
for him to meet me before the 2nd December at the earliest. I could not, of
course, wait this length of time in view of the fact that Lord Curzon is shortly
to pass Aden on his way to India.
3. I remained, however, the whole night and landed the next morning,
and my personal enquiry confirmed the news brought by the interpreter as
to the impracticability of Mohsin meeting me before the 2nd proximo, I there
upon decided to return, which I did on the afternoon of the 24th instant,
leaving, however, the interpreter behind with a letter from me to Mohsin, in
which I explained to the latter that the intended interview could not take
place at Balahaf, and that the only course left for him was to come to Aden.
I guaranteed him safe conduct and promised that his personal liberty would
not be interfered with, though it would be necessary for him to remain in Aden
till such time as the orders of Government were received. In the letter I
warned him also that, in the event of his not coming to Aden, Government
would be forced to renew the blockade of Balahaf, and possibly to take such
measures, as may be necessary to compel his ejection from Balahaf territory.
4. Before leaving Balahaf I had also taken the opportunity of interview
ing, in the presence of the Balahaf Customs officer and two others wdio had
come on board, the prisoner Ahmed bin Saleh, whom I had brought with me
in case he might be required, and impressed upon him that his confinement
had been continued solely because of Mohsin’s refractory behaviour, and that
the future treatment of both depended largely on the attitude Mohsin might
take up—a fact which I thought it would be as well for Mohsin to know, not
only from the letter which I caused Ahmed bin Saleh to write to his brother,
but also from the lips of his own men.
5. I may mention here that the port of Balahaf consists merely of the
ruins of the fortlet demolished under the orders of Government about two years
and a half ago and a few huts built of mats. At Balahaf there is no water,
which has to be obtained from a place distant about three hours’ journey. The
port is maintained merely as a customs post, where a man is stationed to collect
the dues on the exports, consisting principally of camel-hair cloth, and the
imports, chiefly jowari and kerosine oil, passing through the place from and to
the interior. To assist in the collection of the dues there are about 20 to 30
Bedowis knowm as soldiers, also stationed at the port.
6. Besides ascertaining from the Customs officer the whereabouts of Mohsin,
I learnt also, on further questioning him, that his duty after collecting the
dues was to send half to Mohsin and half to Saleh bin Abdulla, that the
soldiers were stationed there both on behalf of Mohsin and Saleh, that they as
well as the tribesmen, however, recognised Mohsin as the Sultan, he being a
man of greater firmness of character than Saleh, and that even better than
Mohsin they would prefer Ahmed bin Saleh. News had also lately reached
Balahaf that Mohsin and Saleh had come to some understanding, the terms of
which, however, were not known yet.
7. The Customs officer as well as others in Balahaf all say that Mohsin has
no desire to act against Government, but he fears to come in least he should be
imprisoned like his brother, or perhaps even worse may happen to him. For
this mistrust, which Mohsin entertains in spite of the promise of safe conduct
given to him before, we ourselves seem to be responsible in a way, for, at
the time the fortlet of Balahaf was destroyed as a punishment for the act of
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