File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎196r] (387/508)

My meaning is that if Dar-al-Quabfan is demolished Suleik fort should
follow suit. If both stand intact, the occupation by the Kotaibis of Suleik
might compensate them for the loss of Dar-al-Quabtan’s site at least for the
time, nut l am sceptical as to the probability of their withholding for any length
of time their hands from the latter place.
Here again it would he instructive to have given over these places to the
tribes and watched proceedings awhile from Dthala before finally evacuating.
Confidential.
With regard to the evacuation of Suleik and its rendition to the Arabs.
I am of opinion that our best course is to give it to the Amir, or, if the
fort is dismantled—which is most advisable —vide my unofficial reference No.
1344, dated 8th instant—we might tell the Amir he is responsible for that part
of the country since the Kotaibis are nominally his tribesmen.
2. The “ Dar-al-Quabtan ”—or “ Dar-al-Hamra, 5, as it is also called, might
also he reduced so as to lessen the chances of a Kotaibi-Alawi embroglio, and
the Alawi Chief told to place his men near the village of A1 Mabaja, which is
close to Jimil clearly Alawi territory.
3. The Amir on our evacuation of Suleik will most certainly make the
Kotaibis responsible under him for the safety of caravans traversing that region.
These tribesmen will, however, not be responsible without any corresponding
consideration shown to them ; and never indeed has the Amir been powerful
enough to coerce these people, and stillless will he he ab 7 e to overawe them at
this time with Dthala and vicinity affairs in so unsettled a condition.
4. It is only reasonable, then, that Muhammad Saleh, the Kotaibi Chief,
should he allotted a monthly allowance of Rs 50 for the express purpose of
safeguarding the road. The payment of the allowance could be made dependent
on a continuance of the good behaviour of the tribe and the mutual good
relations of Kotaibis and Alawis in that vicinity. Quoting from letter No. 3861
of 20th June 1905, Chief Secretary to Government of India, Foreign Depart
ment, in paragraph 5 thereof, “ we are now fully assured that the Amir is unable
to consolidate his position in that tract ” with his Radfan tribesmen absolutely
independent of him, paying him no due, considering themselves on an equality
with their suzerain and viewing as they now do, his critical position on the
Dthala plateau.
5. No treaty engagement is, however, required. All that is necessary is to
allot Sheik Muhammad Saleh Rs. 50 per mensem, i.e., to earmark an annual
sum of Rs. 600 and make it debitable to the Amiri Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). Present Grant. In
other words the Amir will bo paying the allowance, it will be paid through him
so as to enhance the suzerain’s importance, and the Amir will be able^ to with
hold the amount if the tribesmen ever display any contumacy. This is adminis
tration by and through the Arabs. I am sure it is the first step to ensure
order on the Suleik-Habilan. Otherwise the Kotaibis will, with our hacks
turned, begin the old role of tax-collections on the road.
6. It mav he remembered further that the Kotaibi Sheikh recovered with a
grenl deal of labour and persuasion from his unwilling tribesmen the seven
missing Lee-Metford rifles of our troops, and he has never ceased to complain to
me of the 15 or 20 Le Gras carbines taken from a Kotaibi section, who sur
rendered without resistance to the late Captain M arneford and gave up their
arms to him. I recommend most strongly that some compensation ^ be giv en
him, and that the best I can suggest is to present him with ten Martini-Henry
carbines and 50 rounds of ammunition per arm to be used in the safeguarding
of the road. These should he given him through the Amir ol Dthala.
7. Perhaps, at this juncture, it could be arranged to secure the enhanced
ipend of our loyal friend the ‘ Alawi Chief Sheikh ’ Ah ^aslnr. 1 he occasion
most opportune. The Resident also suggested to this Sheikh at Suleik the
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