File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎203v] (402/508)

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• ~ t nn liprp striven to create a better feelinsrbetween
1 have, ever since ^e r ’ been obsessed by the strong belief, to
whiaae Ws Pin-prieks have lent colour, that the Amir’s overtm-es were
insincere and that his real object was their subjectio . _ _
n Vp Tihnl .Tahaf I am somewhat inclined to lean towards the opinion
5S 5“£ C““
” —"Li f overlord, I ’’f''®' 0
^ iTi i Hil ir essentially a tribal possession. Further that an equdaUe
that the ■ , a ised wou ld have saved the Amir his present humi-
taxation nde ^ a the “ Shairi-Jabal Jihafi ” combination unneces-
hation ."^dh a that Hill would never in that case have sought a
K W t the pSn of the Turkish ex-nomiuee Mukbil Nagi Az-Zindani.
fi T have always laid stress on the indubitable fact that tins Hinterland
b. 1 nave always, ripmoeracv Indian precedent encourages the
comprises one vyst system of democracy. head Imbued with
collapse like a pack of cards, and the demolition has indeed aheady begun.
7. The only course feasible at this time is to let things alone, and to watch
progress. , . . ,
Immediate demonstrationa.t an earlier period would, i “
saved the situation and deterred the now long devised machinations of Jabal
Jihaf I understand the times were unpropitious for our intervention. The
Amiris his worst enemy, or, rather has his policy of s ^servience to ^is s
of his son Nasr, who has the ear of the underlings the Dtbala Hushais
brought the old man to the predicament he now is in.
8 The Amir left my tent after the interview of the 5th instant and said
he would pay of his men who nad arrived in force on the evening of the 4rd
idem.
On rejoining his camp lie was evidently talked over, and counsels were
divided.
9. This morning at 3 a m. firing began generally and has been in progress
all day. There have been a few casualties on each side. The Amir has seized
the Black Hill, and the Shairi villages of A1 Wabh and Jalas. The ^ Shams
remain in possession of Turkish position, “ One-boulder ” Hill, and Hog s Back.
The fighting is going on between Black Hill and Al Wabh and also m the
direction of Al Koren at the head of the Khoraiba Pass. I n the vicinity ot
our camp there is quiet.
10. The Amir has some 1,500 to 2,000 adherents, including a few Kaladis
(Lower Yafa) the Hadfan clans of Hijaili, Ahl Abdallah, Bakri, some Oa iris
and some Dtliambaris, and of course the Azarek. The Shaiiis are sai to 6
assisted by Sha’ih. The Jahal Jihaf are opposing the Amir’s forces up the
Hill.
11. It is better after my interview with the Amir, to stand by and not
interfere. The Amir has taken all risks on himself. I said that if he fought,
even at this eleventh hour when another course was possible he must clearly
understand I would remain strictly neutral, and it would be futile for him to
ask for assistance if matters went agaiust him. I told him of the Kotaibi
threat which he must avert himself and that the best course was ot course
disbandment.
He has thought otherwise.
The 8th January 1907*
H. P. JACOB, Major,
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. , Plhala.