File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎127v] (38/152)

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EXISTING DISTRIBUTION.
(Dating from about six years back.)
Joint owners according to preceding statement are :—
Hadi, Ahmed, Mohsin and Husain f, Ahmed's family Saleh and Bubaker
On re-distribution the shares were divided into five parts, of which Mohsin bin Saleh
gets 2/5, i.e. 16/40 in accordance with written documents signed by the persons concerned
Of the remaining 8/6 Ahmed's family gets 8/40; Bubaker and Saleh it, 3/40:*
Ahmed gets I, i.e., 6/40 ; Mohsin gets, I, i.e., 6/40; and Hussain gets i.e., 6/40.
Telegram, dated the 18th January 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,
To—C. H. A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombav,
Political Department. J
V. Please see my letter No. 142, dated the 9th instant. I hare received
a letter from Sultan Ghalib of Mokalla to the effect that Sultan Saleh bin
Abdulla has sold his share of Balahaf to him. He was only waiting for mv
signature confirming the deed of sale. I was not made aware of the sale, and
I have replied that I could not acquiesce in it without referring the matter fcr
the orders of Government. 1 am not in favour of the sale. Letter follows.
Letter No. 260, dated the 18th January 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,
To—C. H. A. Hill, Esq, C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombav>
Political Department. *'
In continuation of my telegram of to-day’s date, I have the honour to state
that at the interview which I had with Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh at the time of
writing my letter No. 142, dated the 9th January 1905, regarding Balahaf
affairs, he reported to me that he had received information that, taking
advantage of his absence, Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla had clandestinely sold a
portion of Balahaf to His Highness the Sultan of Shehr and Mokalla. He
seemed to view the news with some alarm. But I set his mind at rest by savins
that I did not credit the rumour, as nothing of the kind could happen without
the know ledge or consent of 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. . The news has, however, been
• Appendix A. confirmed by Sultan Ghalib, who has
, , . „ , , written* tome saying that a settlement
has been arrived at between Saleh bin Abdullah and himself, wherebv the
formerhassold to him half of Balahaf and Jila’, together with their depend
encies on the sea-coast and inland, that a document has been drawn up o-ivin^
eilect to the transaction, and that nothing remains to be done except to° have
t Appendix b. m y signature on the document in token
rnori + i ,i ■ -j. , of confirmation. I have repliedt to Sultan
Griialio to the effect that I cannot confirm such an agreement which has been
entered into without my knowledge or consent, and that I am therefore
reporting the matter to Government for orders.
2. Having regard to the opinion expressed by the Government o^ India
m paragraph z of Foreign Department letter No. 1094-E.A., dated the 5th July
i ie ? m ^ P reamble Government Resolution No. 4653, dated
• j U ^ ^ seems me fh a t Sultan Ghalib should have apprised
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. beforehand of the fact that the above negotiations were in
contemplation, even though Saleh bin Abdulla did not care to disclose it.
Moreover, the transaction in question, if accepted by Government, will, I am
certain, give rise to constant friction between the Sultan of Shehr and Mokalla
^ the P ort °f Balahaf, particularly as the sale of Saleh bin
Abdullas share has been effected without the knowledge and approval of the
latter. I would, therefore, recommend that Government should not accord their
confirmation to the transaction. ,