File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎21r] (37/508)

3
in the face of the Turkish Arabs and Imam’s people across his border. He is
one that has the privilege of sending recommendatory letters for his tribesmen to
Aden, the purport thereof being to secure them presents, but of this concession he
very seldom avails himself.
therefore, propose for the favourable consideration of the Resident that he
advise Government to make the following grants to Sultan Ali Mani:—
(а) A free grant of 100 Martini-Henry rifles and ammunition (future supplies
being advanced on payment as required.)
The Amir of Dthala has been given, since 1904, 200 Martini-Henry rifles and
ammunition and his position on the frontier is no more important than is the Hau-
shabi’s. I think the Amir has been the gainer because of our actual presence in his
midst for many years, and the favours shown to him were partly the result of our
desire to enhance his prestige on that border. I would not differentiate one iota
between the relative importance of these two Rulers.
(б) An increase to the Haushabi’s stipend to bring it up to Rs. 400 per men
sem.
This will give him equal importance with the Amir of Dthala. The Haushabi’s
stipend at present is Rs. 272 per mensem.
If these concessions are made, we shall have consolidated his position in
this tract and these favours will serve as a palliative to the stigma that still attaches
to our withdrawal in 1907.
The Imam will soon be making a bid for the allegiance of many of our fron
tier Chiefs. His declension from Turkish control is becoming apparent and free
from Turkish supervision, and encouraged thereby to seek his own aggrandisement,
it is good to ensure that he shall confront, on our side, the border Chiefs who are
bound to us by ties forged by good-will and liberality. It is a common proverb
in the Hinterland that the Arab’s mind accepts no more than his eyes can visualise
—“A1 Arab aqlahu fi ainihi.” There is nothing which binds the Arab so securely
as the opening of the purse strings. The whilom Governor-General of the Yemen
at Sana’a, Izzat Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , failed by force of arms to subjugate the Imam’s Zeidi
hordes, but when he began to copy our Aden policy and to distribute monetary
doles, the whole country-side lay at his feet.
The concession I have recommended are intrinsically insignificant, but their
effect will be far-reaching. This is the psychological moment to set them in motion.
No. C-193, dated Aden, the 14th May 1913.
Endorsed by the 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.
Forwarded, with compliments, to the Secretary to Government, Political De
partment, Bombay, with reference to the correspondence ending with Government
Memorandum, No. 7897, dated the 13th October 1911. I concur in the above memo
randum and would urge Government to treat this case separately and on its merits.
The Haushabi Sultan holds an important place in our sphere and it is very neces
sary, at this time, to raise his status.
3—4