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File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎185r] (365/508)

The record is made up of 1 item (253 folios). It was created in Oct 1906-Sep 1915. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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15
ruinw * h t Ye . remar ^^. satisfactory progress has not been universal
Cul avation has increased in the Abdali and to some extent also in the Fadthli
h Vh h 7t f r f 111 mai1 ^ desert tracts in the Subeh i the Haushabi
thp i n i bas wn . se d wealthy from the impost which be collects on
the increased trade And in this benefit the Alawi, the Amiri and the
ITaushabi have also shared. On the other hand, the Fadthli has been debarred
► from this source ot profit and feels the loss keenly. The Subehi also bitterly
complain of the prohibition in this matter imposed upon them. The Kotaibi
and Kadfan tribes regard with jealous envy the benefit derived by others and
denied to them It is, as it was in 1865, to the benefit of some that order should
be maintained, but to others disorder still presents greater attractions and the
chance ot extorting mere blackmail.
73. In the Subehi country it must be admitted generally that there has
been very little change for the better since Colonel Merewether first described
them as a people reduced to poverty and much given to plundering in small
parties. _ On the roads passing through the Subehi country there is still a lack
of security. Depredations are fairly frequent. The life of a European is not
safe. Whilst the matches are not constantly alight on the matchlocks, the finder
is always on the trigger. Men go about armed. The petty Chiefs are engaged
in constant feuds The crops raised are scanty. The general position is most
derogatory to the great power which claims to protect the district. Presents
are still given to any tribe who threatens to or actually does disturb the peace.
Instead of attending to agriculture and other peaceful pursuits men prefer to
come in the guise of somewhat violent beggars to the great British Government
Of the Subehi it may still be said that “ instead of being a healthy support to
us they are like a hungry parasite feeding on a living body.”
74. The Abdali have been pitted against them. The experiment has
not only failed, but has been the cause of heartburnings and reprisals which
to the present day frequently disturb the peace of the country.
75. In their despatch to the Government of India No. 219, dated the
12th January 1904, the Bombay Government referred to the principle of tribal
responsibility coupled with a minimum of British interference as their tradi
tional policy. It is a policy of which Colonel Merewether urged the inadequacy.
It is a policy which the present condition of the Subehi country proves not
to have been a success. It is a policy which in their despatch No. 130 of 1904
the Government of India themselves refer to as having been not altogether
successful. There they wrote in paragraph 4, 44 Despite the considerable stipends
which we have paid to the Chiefs, order has not been preserved ; outrages have
disturbed the security of the trade routes; our officers have been unable to
enter tribal territory without a stronger escort or heavy payment for the right
of passage; and we have had to remain in that ignorance of tribal affairs which
have been such a severe handicap throughout the recent delimitation proceed
ings.*’ In the same despatch they wrote, “ The policy of non-interference in
the affairs of the Hinterland has resulted, as the Reports of the Boundary
Commission show, in a serious loss of territory to the tribes. And the ignorance
of the true tribal border which this policy involved is probably responsible for
the establishment of a Turkish post at Sheikh Said.”
75a. In a previous despatch No. 46T E.A., dated the 10th February 1904*
the Government of India wrote : “ The Government of India consider that they
are not only entitled but are called upon, in view of the expense and trouble
which have been incurred in securing the Amir of Dthala against violation of
his territories, to insist upon a greater immunity to the caravan routes passing
though Amiri territory between the interior and Aden.”
76. There is more which might be urged against the policy of non-inter
ference which was found no more a success in India than it has been in Arabia,
which may at any time lead to international complications with the neighbour
ing Ottoman Government, aad which on the score of policy and self-interest as
well as of humanity and justice is open to much criticism.
77. 'When Major Jacob states that the Amir of Dthala cannot ^ unaided
police his roads, he is stating a fact of which the truth is, to the Officer in charge

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Part 3 of the file relates to the withdrawal of troops and the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. from Dthala [al-Ḍāli‘].

The correspondents include:

The correspondence reports and discusses matters related to the withdrawal from Dthala and the subsequent treaty negotiations with tribes of the Aden hinterland, including:

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1 item (253 folios)
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English in Latin script
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File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎185r] (365/508), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/74/3, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100034189575.0x0000af> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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