File 600/1905 Pt 2 'Aden Hinterland: Future Policy' [285r] (57/226)
The record is made up of 1 item (113 folios). It was created in 11 Dec 1905-5 Oct 1906. 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. .
Transcription
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shape of ships of war at Hodeida and a stronger military force at D’thala, in
order to overcome the reluctance of the Turks to carry out their own proposals
for demarcation, led to the despatch of the remainder of the British Battalion
and of an extra ative Infantry Regiment to Aden; and these troops, owing
to the troubles in the Yemen after the conclusion of the demarcation of the
frontier, have been located at I) thala with the happiest results on our influence
with the tribes. The present policy of concentrating our naval forces in
European waters might easily leave the command of the Arabian Sea in the
hands of a Eoieign Bower for a considerable time, in which case it would be
most desirable to have our communications with the Hinterland and its supplies
fully open. More than this, the sanctioned garrison of Aden is not sufficient
to man the defences, even if the deteriorating effect of the climate can he over
looked, and in the event of war with a Naval Power an immediate increase
would he necessary and this it might not be possible then to send by sea. The
climate of Aden is such as to tax severely the health of the troops stationed
there. Owing to the nature of the country very little military training can be
done, while no other occupation or amusements are available for the men. This
combination of a most trying climate with enforced idleness has a disastrous
effect on their health. On the other hand, the uplands of D’thala form an
admirable training ground, while the climate admits of men working in the
open air all day long. They thus retain excellent health, and their efficiency
as soldiers is very different from that of men confined to the limits of the
fortress of Aden. Even if the other weighty reasons adduced by the Resident
and ^ the Bombay Government for retaining troops there can be ignored, we
consider that, on the score of humanity, as well as of efficiency, the withdrawal
of the troops from D’thala to Aden is to be deprecated.
On military and strategical considerations, therefore, our Military advisers
regard the withdrawal of the force at D’thala as open to serious objection, and
we entirely concur in their view which will, we trust, receive full consideration.
11. Erom a political point of view, we are no less opposed to a withdrawal
from D’thala. The mere delimitation of the frontier line seems to us to be
little security against the advance, if not of Turkish troops, at least of Turkish
agents, as the Ad Doka incident shows; and a Political Officer stationed at Aden
and only occasionally visiting D’thala would have small opportunity of check
ing or reporting the existence of Turkish intrigues in the protected territory.
It must be remembered that, after such a withdrawal as is now contemplated*
he could probably only pay such visits with a considerable escort, which might
give rise to trouble and certainly would not conduce to the ready collection
of secret information or the spread of friendly influence. The result of
this ignorance and impotence might well he a spread of disaffection in the
country behind Aden, which in the event of difficulties with Turkey or some
other Power would greatly weaken the position of the fortress. It is, moreover,!
undoubted that we are bound to check raids or encroachments from the BritisM
side upon Turkish territory ; and this obligation has been repeatedly recognised"
by His Majesty’s Government and enjoined upon us by them at the instance of
the Turkish Government. Eor this purpose no instrument can be so effective
and inexpensive as a small body of troops maintained in a central position at
D’thala.
12. Another political consideration is the effect which our withdrawal
would have upon our reputation among the Arabs, a matter of the first import
ance, especially at present, when it is doubtful whether the Turks will be
able to restore their rule in Yemen, or whether they will be succeeded by
independent Arab tribes owing possibly a nominal allegiance to the Imam of
Sana. In this connection the case of the Amir of D’thala seems to call first
for examination. The position of this Chief is mainly the creation of the
delimitation proceedings. Before those operations the Turks had gradually
encroached upon the area which was nominally his, and had reduced his posses
sions to a fraction of the territory in which he has now been reinstated. The
Amir’s prestige had diminished along with his dominions, and if the reports
received during the past few years from our officers in the Hinterland can be
relied on, he believes that he owes his present position to British intervention^
he welcomes the presence of 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.
and the British force, and
About this item
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Part 2 of the file relates to future policy questions, in particular Britain's presence in the Dthala [al-Ḍāli‘] (sometimes written as Dthali) region.
The correspondents include:
- Major-General Ernest de Brath, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. at Aden;
- Government of India, Simla;
- Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ;
- 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. , London;
- Foreign Office, London.
The correspondence discusses several matters relating to British policy in the Aden hinterland, including:
- the murder of a postal runner near Sheikh Othman;
- the deployment of a Political Officer at Dthala;
- the withdrawal of all British troops and officers from Dthala;
- arms traffic in the hinterland;
- an extension of the railway into the hinterland.
The discussion is framed by the wider imperial policy of non-interference.
Folio 369 is a map entitled 'The Tribes and New Boundary of the Aden Protectorate'.
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/74/2
- Title
- File 600/1905 Pt 2 'Aden Hinterland: Future Policy'
- Pages
- 257r:369v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence