File 600/1905 Pt 2 'Aden Hinterland: Future Policy' [‎349v] (186/226)

c Whilst at Musemir I heard of the presence two miles (at Dahana from
Mama o£ Muhammad Nasir Mukbil who lias given so much trouble on the
Hausbabi border. The news I received was to the effect that he has a small
following of 40 men and was “ sitting on the fence watching the probable
outcome of the Turks) Imam quarrel. I accordingly went to Mawia after
receiving an invitation from the Superintendent of Customs there and spent an
hour in his company. I was fortunate to meet the nephew of Muhammad
Mukbil Nasir, one Kaid Saleh. The impression at Mawia among the Arabs
was to the effect that we had come to arrest Muhammad Nasir Mukbil, and
mv obiect was to prove to him that we knew, and were on, our border and did
not intend to countenance any further advances on his part. The Turkish
Superintendent told me this man’s attitude towards themselves was at present
outwardly friendly. My visit was marked by great cordiality, and I feel sure
that a hint to Taiz will be sufficient, if hereafter necessary, to secure the deten
tion of Muhammad Nasir Mukbil in Turkish territory where he will be power
less to practise his pinpricks.
The country about Mawia is rich to a degree and the crops magnificent.
Mawia village pays $1,500 per annum to the Turks and the people complain of
cash payments at frequent and irregular periods. I learnt that therish cultiva
tion n°ht up the hill slopes in the entire country-side was necessitated by the
importunate demands of the Turkish revenue-collectors. The populace appear
ed submissively polite.
7. Captain Saunders will doubtless mention the vast potentialities of a
rail road through Musemir by al Malaha and the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Fakir to Ad Dareja.
The country is well adapted for the purpose, and except for the portion between
Musemir and al Malaha the land is very productive and taps a very rish radius.
The strategic value of this line, if in future we wished to push ahead, would
be immense.
8. These crops everywhere along the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Tiban, Tubagbain gorge,
at Musemir, and in the Haushabi country were superb.
Dthala,
31s£ August 1905.
(Sd.) H. F. Jacob, Capt.,
Political Officer, Dthala.
No. 415 of 1905.
Office of the Political Officer,
' Dthala, 31$£ August 1905.
Forwarded, with compliments, to First Assistant Resident, Aden, for the
information of the Resident,
(Sd.) H. F. JACOB, Capt.,
Political Officer, Pthala,
Letter No. 6616, dated the 28th October 1905.
From—Captain F. de B. Hancock, Acting First Assistant Resident, Aden ;
To— Tha Political Officer, Dthala.
In reference to the 2nd paragraph of the notes forwarded to me with your
No. 415, dated the 31st ultimo, I am to inform you that the 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.
approves of the suggestions that the Haushabi Sultan should be allowed to
garrison El Milleh and to request that you will be so good as to submit separate
definite proposals with a view to carrying the same into effect.
2. Presumably the Haushabi Sultan will look for some special assistance
towards enabling him to carry out the proposal, and the 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. is
prepared to consider the advisability of presenting him with 20 M.H. rifles in
the event of his undertaking to do so.