File 600/1905 Pt 4 'Aden Hinterland: Proposed Treaties with the Sultans of Beda and Audali; Treaty with Beda held in abeyance' [‎210r] (51/158)

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h I ^i^’ 5 * * 8 S^oretety of State in his Despatch No. 20-Secret, dated
the 4th May 1906, a copy of which was forwarded to yott with this Department
endorsement No. 92-M., dated the 1st June 1906, the Governor in Council considers
that sufficiently strong reasons have not been advanced for pressing the proposal
on the Government of India. It is true that Government were at one time anidous
to enter into agreements, but their advances in this direction hardly constitute
a pledge, failure to redeem which can be characterized as a breach of faith. Turkish
susceptibrities are not in question, and unless you can show clearly and con-
yincmgly that the trade routes passing through Beda are in serious danger and
that these routes are of real importance to Aden, it seems futile to discuss the
matter further.
3. The map received with your letter under acknowledgment is herewith
returned as requested.
No. C.-182, 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 13th May 1911.
From— Brigadier-General J. A. Bell, 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 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.
\\ ith reference to correspondence ending with Government’s letter, Political
Department, No. 5939, dated 15th September 1910, I have the honour once
again to urge the advisability of reconsidering the conclusion of a treaty if not
with the Audah at least with the Beda Sultan, who, since my return from Bombay
has visited me m Aden to discuss this matter. The invitation was for several
years consistently pressed on the former Sultan of Beda at the instance'of the
Government of India. It was decided that the subject be dropped pending fur
ther reference which should emanate from the Sultan.
2 In November 1909 the present Chief, Ali bin Abdallah, reopened the mat
ter, vide 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. letter No. A.-200 of 22nd January 1910. Hitherto the
Sultan has been unable to come in: he never abandoned the idea of a treaty, but
affairs at home precluded his personal attendance and we were averse to treat
with a representative.
3.1 would here state as of prime importance that, to gauge a true estimate
of what constitutes a breach of faith, we should judge not from our view-point, but
from that of the Arabs, for it is this which will decide their future attitude towards
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 Arab mind will fail to understand this volta-face. I cannot
with certainty forecast the future, or indulge in any infallible prophecy as to
probable danger on the trade route if now Beda is baulked of his expectations. I
am, however, sure, after the recent interview here, when he urged his reason for
the visit was to conclude the long-talked of treaty, that Sultan Ali bin Abdallah
will return a disappointed man. This Am Rasasi Sultan, as he is styled, is a very
influential Chief. Though well within our border he is free to correspond and
intrigue with the Turks, who, if they defeat the Imam of Sana’a—and we must
consider this possibility—may be emboldened further to consolidate their position
south and to bring up matters of delimitation which up to now it was politic
should remain dormant. It seems, then, unwise to foster discontent within our
sphere of influence, where since the withdrawal from Dthala in 1907 our prestige
has rapidly and very naturally declined and our fixed policy of standing aloof
from Arab affairs and vainly endeavourirg to maintain cordial relations from a
distance has been almost universally translated to mean indifference to Arab
interests within our border.
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. Had these two Sultans never been approached by us originally, matters
might have s umbered awhi e, and it is doubtless best to let the Arab initiate an
entente ” and without prejudice reveal his true feelings towards us. Having,
however, made the first move, we should carry it through if only to preserve our
prestige and reputation for good faith, and also to close an avenue to Turkish
intrigue and unrest already so patent on the Turco-Subehi border.
5. Turks in conversation have told Sir Ahmed Fadthl, the Abdali Sultan, |
that the^ nine cantons are only nominally within the British sphere, and their
attitude in Nawa and with the Bani Dthubiyani, in recent years corroborates
this view. Beda is outside the category of the nine cantons.