File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎172r] (127/152)

7. Should Government not be disposed to accept Mohsin’s explanation
regarding what has been called his “ refractory conduct,” that is, that he
distrusted the Aden officials and for that reason did not come in, then I would
propose that his brother Ahmed bin Saleh be elected Sultan.
Report of interview held at the 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. Office at 10-30 a.m. on Saturday, 10th December 1904,
between Saltan Mohsin bin Saleh, the Wahidi, and Major-General H. M. Mason, Political
Resident, Lieut.-Colonel J. Davies, First Assistant Resident, being also present.
Reason for not coming in sooner.
After the usual salutations Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh was asked by the
Resident why he had not come in for such a long time, although Government
required him to do so. To this he replied that the previous officers had not
o-iven him an opportunity for a fair hearing, and he thought it would have been
useless for him to come in, as he feared that justice would not be done to him.
Sultan Mohsin was inclined to go into a long history on this point, but the
Resident stopped him and reminded him that his brother had been confined
all this time owing to his refractory behaviour.
Submission.
Mohsin still went on dwelling on the unfairness shown towards him. The
Resident again interrupted him and explained to him that as a preliminary to
all negotiations as to his personal rights and liberties he should tender his
unconditional submission to Government. Mohsin immediately responded by
unbelting his sword and handing it to the Resident, who, pleased at this
spontaneous act of submission, returned the sword to Mohsin.
Mohsiris own views.
The Resident then permitted Mohsin to proceed with his history.^ Mohsin
alluded to the incident of the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. . He stated that on hearing that a
bu^alow had been wrecked off Balahaf he proceeded to the port to render the
necessary assistance. He arrived at Balahaf and made all arrangements for the
safetv and comfort of the crew. Thereafter, finding that the men had specie
with" them, he made enquiries as to its ownership and learnt that it did not
belon- to any one on board the dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. , but that some belonged to merchants
in Aden and some to persons in Mokalla. Mohsin then took charge of the
snecie with a view to its eventual delivery to the proper owners, and advised the
crew to wait, as it would be difficult and unsafe to go by sea^ owing to the
monsoon The men, however, did not wait, but reported against him both
at Mokalla and Aden. Meanwhile, as there was no safe place to keep the large
sL o“ ey at Balahaf, he took the specie with him to Azzan. Some time
after in reference to this matter, he received a letter at Azzan asking him o
meet’ the Resident at Balahaf. Though he could not travel at the same rate
as the runner who brought the letter, he proceeded as fast ^ he could with the
monev but only to hear, when he was some distance off Balahaf, the bomb aid
mentPof the port. He learnt also that his brother Ahmed Inn Sateh had gone
cm board tbe steamer, offered to remain as a hostage till he (Moiisin; iiaa
bm Hit the money, and besought the officers to wait and not demolish the
fort Aliped bin Saleh was told that orders had already been received from
Government and the demolition of the fort was proceeded with m spite ot the
enteeato of Ahmed bin Saleh, who protested that the great Government would
under no circumstances act so hastily. Hearing all this Mohsm was afraid and
returned to Azzan with ^’"reason Shy' tL^uthoritiesTad acted in this
mannerheSeceived a letter stating that the fort of Balahaf had been destroyed
SaTa-d ana «.;»*'.« a;- «* “".S.Sil.rSS
“too™ brought back oem. bo.or.t that Ahot.d 0,» S.leh
would not he released till he had personally come into Aden and submitted.