File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎164r] (111/152)

Questioned as to the cause of his great enmity w ith Mohsin and as to the
date of its inception, he stated that this was Mohsin’s intrigues with the French
of 1894, and subsequent misdeeds of more recent date in connection with the
loot of the buggalow Large trading vessel. “ Fateh-al-Salam. ”
He was informed that Government were aware of all this and that it would
be duly taken into consideration, and decided upon in due course, and that
meanwhile there was no necessity for him to remain any longer in Aden at
present.
The interview then closed.
-Aden ; (Sd.) F. B deBANCOCK, Captain,
20lh May 1905. ) Acting First Assistant Resident, Aden.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Saeed bin Aliff, residing in Upper Haura.
Sheikh Abdur Kahman bin Abdul Maui, residing at Jaul-al-Sheikh.
Sheikh Hadi bin Yasin, residing at Hauta.
Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed, residing at Saeed-ba-Kader.
Telegram, dated the 15th Maj 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—The Hon’ble Mr. S. W. Edgerley, CUE., Chief Secretary to the Govern
ment of Bombay, Political Department.
I consider Sultan Mobsin of Balahaf undoubtedly by far the mo-t influen
tial among the Wahidi Sultans.* He has been unanimously selected their
titular Sultan by all the leading Sheikhs of the tribes, his only opponent being
Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla himself, who refuses to recognise him.
I now propose, in accordance with the last paragraph of Political Depart
ment letter No. 1806, dated the 18th March 1905, to re-affirm the existing
treaty of 1895, making Sultan Mohsin the only signatory and a few of the
other Sultans and leading Sheikhs witnesses. Saltan Saleh will refuse to attest
this treaty, but his entire lack of support, coupled with his recent transaction,
with the Sultan of Shehr and Mokalla, renders his adherence to the treaty of no
importance. Secondly, I propose taking a written undertaking from the
Sultans and Sheikhs present to the effect that they will loyally abide by their
selection. Lastly, I propose, if that is possible, to take a written admission
from Sultan Mohsin that his nomination is only valid during the pleasure of
Government. This, however, does not seem necessary if Mohsin signed the
treaty.
Please telegraph if you approve of this, as I wish to send as soon as possible
all the Wahidis back to Balahaf at their earnest request. Also please telegraph
if I may release Sultan Mohsin’s brother, who is at present detained as surety.
I think this now advisable.
All the Wahidis strongly object to any alienation of territory to the Sultan
of Shehr and Mokalla. Please let me know by telegraph if I may say that
Sultan Saleh’s transaction with Mokalla will not be recognised. I would
strongly recommend the adoption of this course.
Telegram, dated the 17th May 1905.
From—The Hon’ble Mr. S. W. Edgerley, CUE., Chief Secretary to the Govern
ment of Bombay, Political Department,
To— 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.
With reference to your telegram of the 15th May 1905. Before an/
order is promulgated to the Sheikhs or any further undertaking or document
confirmed by them, the matter will have to be referred to the Government of
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