File 600/1905 Pt 2 'Aden Hinterland: Future Policy' [‎296r] (79/226)

No. 3851 (Secret).
Euom
Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , July 1906.
Major-General E. DeBRATH, C.B., C.I.E.,
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. , Aden;
To
The CHIEE SECRETARY to the 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. .
Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 107-P., dated 16th
June 1906, giving cover to No. 24 j 13-E. B., dated 12 th June 1906, from the
Government of India, and to Secret Despatch*'No. 1 , dated 4 th May 1906, in
which my opinion is asked on the subject of our withdrawal from the Aden
Hinterland.
2 . The matter must be considered from two points of vfdw—(a) political and
( 6 ) military. Dealing with the political aspect first, our complete withdrawal
from the Hinterland would, in my opinion, be shortly followed by a recrudescence
of tribal fighting, lawlessness, and acts of violence on the trade routes; by an
increase in the illicit traffic in arms ; and by an era of intrigue on the part of
Turkish frontier officials. Those Chiefs who have thrown in their lot with us
would lose all confidence in our policy, and once having lost it would never
recover their faith in us. A decrease in the volume of inland trade with this
port would at once follow as a natural consequence of the insecurity of the
roads, and of our inability to supervise and control the levy of transit dues.
3. But if His Majesty’s Government do not regard these matters as
important, and are prepared to withdraw from the protected tribes the benefits
and assistance that they unquestionably derive from our presence, limiting the
visits 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. to those occasions on which Turkish encroachment
may render his presence necessary, then there is something to be said in favour
of our complete and permanent withdrawal from the Hinterland and its affairs.
This Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. would be relieved of an infinity of labour and correspondence
with the tribes, and from a certain responsibility which now attaches to the
assistance we afford to the Chiefs, while some saving may result in the grant
for Durbar 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). presents.
4. But between this course and that which we now pursue I see no
middle road. By means of constant personal intercourse with the Chiefs and
people 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. , Dthala, and to a lesser degree the Resident, is able
to win their confidence and regard. The Chiefs constantly appeal to us for
friendly advice in the settlement of tribal disputes and we instruct them as
opportunity offers in the principles of good government, and encourage them to
develop the resources of their States. They readily draw comparisons between
our methods and the malpractices and extortion practised by the Turks and the
comparison is altogether in our favour, and will continue to be so as long as
they have no reason to doubt our good faith, and the genuineness of our support.
By these means we have legitimately extended and consolidated our influence
and civilising power in the Hinterland. Both Chiefs and people are fully
aware that we have no intention of absorbing territory or of assuming control
of affairs within tribal limits. Our withdrawal from the Hinterland would
undoubtedly undo all the good work that we have done there during the past
three years.
5 . In regard to the railway through Lahej territory which the Abdali
Sultan is anxious to construct, I see no reason why we should check his spirit
of enterprise provided it will not affect Turkish susceptibilities. The raihyay
would certainly prove a civilising influence, and would promote trade and
con 410a