File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎231v] (458/508)

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_ . , a flip fi(rhtin ( * became more determined, and I saw that
fig M : Sa was bec^lni critical, the Shams being out in force, while
theAmirs posit had not time to rally his men from the distncts.
the Amir, taken y P , , t t two guns, thinking by this means
I asked ’earnestness. I then proceedld myself to the
t0 he thSnd a-ain despatched a messenger to inform the Shairi
scene of the fighting ana a a p in i an hour> 5 £ the people were not
leaders that Jalila wouWbe^ouro^ ^ ^ extra grace> tlie 0 . C .,
nfm^reotest, dropped a cannon shell, purposely, 100 yards to the East of
t n ^ nf+pr ten minutes interval, as matters got worse, a shell was
dahia, and the ^ t the ghairis’ leader had taken his stand.
TMs had an exc lent effect and dispersed the fighters-the terrain being trans- ■
f lS tn the neighbouring hills, the Shairis taking up a position on" one-
boulder Ml " while the Amiris were on the range between that and the cemetery •
hm The Shairis did most of the shooting, the Amms responding but fitfully,,
just to prevent a Shairi rush.
•MV m^sen^er returning from the Shairi leader said the latter’s objective
was Errand if I chose Mfire on Jalila, it was God’s will TMs message
I received before we commenced firing. After an interval another shell was
put down to the West of Jalila and another to the South and short of the
village. The village was now practically deserted.
As the flighting continued, the Shairis having worked round towards the
tsj Ti'a C f nf^Dfhala I had at intervals, 6 shells launched, 4 over Jalila and
town itLlf The effect was excellent and for a time the fighting
c^ef nmceedMg a wMlc in a desultory way. The guns were then
withdrawn. At the same time the Amiri soldiers on the “ Hog s back were
replaced by British troops.
The Amir begged me to interfere still more, for he was apprehensive for
the safety of Dthala town. His men, too, lacked ammunition. I told Mm he
should send for reinforcements, and if the Shairis were too strong for him, I
would afford the requisite co-operation: that he was bound to display h
capabilities in accordance with the treaty obligations, our co-operation that
day being more to signify Government’s displeasure and their determina
to support the Amir who was not the aggressor in the fight.
I was extremely averse to participate, as I feared a complete set-back to
the work of twenty months of attempted reconciliation, but my action w
absolutely imperative.
The effect on the Shairis was magical. The people returned that evening,
and in convocation sent me word that they did not wish to prolong hosUl t ,
were friends of Government, and did not believe their action would have proved
so distasteful to me (sic).
Yesterday I visited Jalila with Major Koe and convened all the Shairi
Akils. I also visited the town and was shown the spots where the t wo s
burst No damage was done to life or property. The Sham relations with
mvself have even improved and doubtless, from what 1 have seen, and £
conversation with Shairis and others in my walks inthe Sham conn .
an4 to-day, I am convinced that this and this alone will tend to re
-assaults in future improbable. To threaten punishment and then re ®® de J. ,
my threat would have weakened the hold I have over these P® 0 ? 6 w . , ,
me, and not the Amir, as their father and counsellor. To have ,
drastic a threat would have spelt chronic disturbance and our arrival s&on y
an impasse. , ,
Another prime factor impelling me to resort to forceful tactics on
nesday was that the lately murdered Shairi was of “ Shaib extrao
the village had appealed to Sheikh Ali Mohsin, “ the pillar-breaker,
Mausatta (Upper Yaffa) which hold Shaib in appanage, for redress ot
'wrongs. It has been my endeavour for some time to checkmate _ t
intervention, and 1 have used Sheikh Ali Mohsin to this end. B.e 18 v .a >
interested to make reparation for his past misdeeds. I think I have s _