File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎178r] (351/508)

, J^L-4 . /(*
No. 7637 (Confidential), dated Bombay Castle, tbe 10th November 1906.
Prom The Hon’ble Sir Steyning W. Edgerley, K.C.Y.O., C.I.E., Chief Secre-
tary 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,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
lam directed prefer to my letter No. 7386, dated the 30th October 1906
submitting a report from the Political Kesident, Aden, regarding an attack bv
members of the Dthambari tribe on a small party of men belonging to the
Amg s Own Scottish Borderers, who were on the march from Dthala to° Aden.
2. With regard to the proposals of the Resident at Aden in that letter, I
am to express complete concurrence in the yiew expressed in paragraph 15
that the time has now arrived when the resumption of a firmer policy is essen
tial not only to the successful conduct of political affairs in the Hinterland
itself but also to the welfare of the main settlement of Aden. There is no
doubt that the suggestions made in paragraphs 16 and 17 of the letter are
■worthy of serious consideration with reference to the maintenance of our influ
ence not merely in the Aden Hinterland, hut in the Mabomedan world general
ly. Such matters are discussed probably throughout the Jfemen and possibly
at Mecca, and the result must be harmful to our interests.
3. Passing to the more specific recommendations contained in the letter,
I am to invite attention to the letter of this Government, No. 1804, dated the
5th March 1906, paragraph 7, and to express His Excellency’s opinion
that any pressure which it is desired to exert on the Haushabi, should be exert
ed through the Abdali Sultan of Lahej. His Excellency the Governor in
Council would do nothing which will tend to emancipate the Haushabi Sultan
from that subordination to the Abdali to which he has up to the present volunta
rily resigned himself.
4. With regard to the Dthambari and Kotaibi tribes, I am to point out
that they belong to the Radfan group which are in nominal subordination to
the Amir of Dthala. The Amir, in accordance with the recommendations in
paragraph 3 of the Government of India Secret despatch No. 130, dated the
21st July 1904, was granted a special addition to his subsidy in order to enable
him to maintain a small force at Sulek or elsewhere as the Resident might
require to render the road safe from the action of these tribes, and it appears
to His Excellency the Governor in Council desirable* in pursuance of the poli
cy which was placed before the Government of India in my No. 1804, dated the
5th March last, above referred to, to exert whatever pressure it may be decided
to exert against that tribe through their own Suzerain the Amir of Dthala and
to endeavour to convert his nominal Suzerainty into an actual effective control.
5. To complete the Government of India record, I am to submit copies of
the marginally noted correspondence and
to invite particular attention to the views
of General DeBrath expressed in para
graph 14 of this letter and in his letter of
the 9th June 1906, as to the value of
increased activity of the Aden Troop and
to the association therewith of some Arab levies.
6. In conclusion, I am to say that the whole situation in the Hinterland
evidently needs, as above pointed out, and has needed for some years or more
past, firmer treatment than it is now possible to give under the present centra
lised form of administration which requires all matters of importance to be
referred for orders to London through Bombay and Simla, and His Excellency
the Governor in Council yet hopes that the orders of His Majesty’s
Secretary of State may not preclude some action of the nature recommended by
the Resident or by this Government or by the Government of India in their des
patch to the Secretary of State, No. 119, dated the 9th August 1906.
1
Resident’s No. 1150, dated 25th February 1906,
accompaniment*.
Resident s No. 1481, dated 11th March 1906.
This Government’s No. 2937, dated 18th April
1906.
Resident’s No. 3419, dated 9th June 1906.
This Government’s No. 118-P., dated 22nd
Jnne 1906.
I
C415PD