File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎182v] (148/152)

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7. If and when he comes in the Uesident should explain to him that as a
first preliminary to any negotiations regarding his personal rights and liberty
he will be required to make submission to Government unconditionally. No
guarantee should be given to him as to what the action of Government would sub
sequently be, though in point of fact the Governor in Council does not consider
that it would be necessary to confine him in Aden, at all events for any con
siderable time. Mohsin should be required to state his own views and
grievances for the consideration of the British Government, and be requested to
indicate the reasons he may have for declining to submit to the authority of
Saleh, and to indicate the conditions upon which he would be prepared to
accord such submission. He should be informed that the confinement of his
brother Ahmed has been continued solely because of his own refractory
behaviour and that the future treatment of both must depend largely on the
attitude Mohsin may take up.
8 . Whatever the result may be, the Governor in Council thinks that a
personal interview between him and the Resident such as has been suggested
cannot but prove to be of value. His Excellency is unable to recommend
compliance with the Resident’s request that before he proceeds to Balahaf he
should be apprised of the policy of Government, since it is obvious that that
policy must depend very largely upon the position assumed by Mohsin.
Eor the moment, and unless some kind of desire for reconciliation is manifested
by Mohsin, the Bombay Government are doubtful of the expediency of
indicating an intention to recognise Mohsin’s brother Ahmed in any w r ay and
w T ould be loth to offer any sort of inducement, based upon his release or
elevation to power, to Mohsin. Consequently His Excellency in Council
proposes merely to instruct General Mason to proceed to Balahaf at the earliest
possible moment and to bring about an interview with Mohsin in the manner
indicated above. In order that the Resident may be fully appraised of the
motives which actuate Government, His Excellency suggests that, if the
Government of India agree, a oapy of this letter should also be forwarded to
General Mason for his information and guidance.
No. 5234, dated Bombay Castle, the 23rd August 1904
From—C. H. A. Hill, Esq, C.l E., Acting Secretary to the Government 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. at Aden.
With reference to your Confidential letter No. 157, dated the 7tb August
1901, regarding the present position of affairs at Balahaf, I am directed to state
that the Governor in Council approved of the suggestion made by General
Maitland at the close of paragraph o of bis letter No. 2^8, dated the 23rd
October 1903, that the policy to be followed should be that of inducing Mohsin
to accept Saleh as Sultan of Balahaf. His Excellency in Council will
accordingly be glad to learn whether this policy has been consistently followed,
and, if so, to be furnished with a report shewing precisely what steps have been
taken by you and your predecessor towards inducing Mohsin to accept Saleh as
Sultan.
2 . I am at the same time to request that you will indicate more clearly the
measures which you contemplate to secure the submission of Mohsin, and that
you will ascertain and report the extent of Mohsin’s influence and power in the
State and whether he is recognised by any of the other tribes.
3 . I am to enquire from what source you have derived the information
that Sultan Saleh is unable to make any real headway against Mohsin.
No. 172, dated Aden 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 23rd September 1904.
From— Major-Genkral 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. at Aden,
To—.0. H A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ,
Political Department.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 5234,
dated the 23rd August 1904, stating that the Governor in Council approved
of the suggestion made by General Maitland in his letter No. 288, dated the