File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎186r] (367/508)

85. I am far from advocating Turkish methods of administration or so
direct an interference in tribal affairs as that exercised by them. I would
simply advocate a pursuance in S.*W. Arabia of those methods which in the
Punjab and in Kafniawar have had so beneficial an effect. I would merely
repeat the words of Lieut.-Colonel Mere wether that “ This is certainly a time
when for every reason, on the score of policy and self-interest as well as
humanity and justice, we should come forward and by a fitting change in
management restore the people and country to the prosperity they might enjoy.*’
86. With this in view I would specifically recommend that in the Subehi
country and in the less settled portions of the Protectorate in the vicinity of
Aden, the Aden Troop should resume their old activity. 1 would recommend
that their old constitution should be restored and that the Sheikh Othman
Police should be incorporated as the Arab Levy of former days. The force
should be kept up to sufficient strength to cope with our increasing responsi
bilities. It should still continue a special weapon at the particular disposal of
the Political authorities. It should be rather of the nature of the Kathiawar
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Police than an integral portion of the ordinary garrison. It should be
kept in a high state of efficiency, but as little trammelled as possible with the
routine parades and exercises of more regular Cavalry. Above all the Troop
should never be “ idle in their lines.”
87. Together with this the more powerful Chiefs should gradually and
firmly be encouraged to put their own forces on a more regular footing and to
discharge their own responsibilities more effectively within the limits of their
own States.
88. Measures should be taken to more precisely define those limits.
Extradition arrangement should be put on a more satisfactory footing. It
should be understood that the British Government is paramount and that the
fiat has at last gone forth that there shall be order in the^ land and that the
labourer shall enjoy the fair fruits of his labour. Excessive imposts on the
transit of goods should be gradually removed and taxation restricted to more
legitimate channels.
89. Granted that, as the Abdali Sultan remarks, the British Government
is a lump of ambergris cast up by the waves upon the shores of Arabia for all
to derive what benefit they can from, I would urge that those benefits should
be peace and progress, civilization and development rather than the inert
distribution of largesses to an avaricious and improvident people, many of whom
are still bred up in a state of ignorance of all the principles of orderly
Government.
W. M. P. WOOD, Captain,
Acting First Assistant Eesident, Aden.
Aden, 22nd February 1906.
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CMoED