File 600/1905 Pt 1 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Dthala' [‎377r] (15/174)

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[Confidential.]
No. 7321, dated Bombay Castle, the 29th November 1904.
From—C. H. A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of
Bombay, Political Department,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department. •
With reference to the correspondence ending with Mr. Somers Cocks’ con
fidential letter No. 3570-E. B., dated 17th
October 1904, I am directed to forward
herewith, for the information of the
Government of India, a copy of the mar
ginally noted correspondence regarding
the revised treaty with the Amir of
Dthala.
1. Memorandum from 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. ,
Aden, No. 193, dated 5th November 1904, and
enclosure.
2. Telegram to 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. , Aden,
dated 21st November 1904.
3. Letter to 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. , Aden, No.
346-M., dated 25th November 1904.
Memorandum No. 193, (Confdl.), dated 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. , the 5th November 1904.
From— Majou-General H. M. Mason, 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 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. , Political Department.
Has the honour to state that he considers it necessary to forward the fol
lowing letter as it contains the views of the Political Officer, Dthala. Although
he does not share the pessimistic views regarding the feelings of the tribes
towards the British, still he is of opinion that Major Merewether’s recommenda
tion regarding stipends is sound.
There is no doubt that the Amir of Dthala, owing to his unjust treatment
and oppression of his subjects, has incurred their hatred. The Amir is now
in Aden, and the undersigned is to have an interview with him on the 7th
instant when he will speak to him on this matter and will also take the oppor
tunity of ^ impressing upon him the necessity of adhering to the treaty in
every particular. The undersigned does not, however, propose to ask the Amir
to sign the new treaty until Government have perused the letter now forwarded
and have passed their orders upon it.
No. C.«8 1904, dated Dthala, the 29th October 1904. (Confidential.)
From— Major W. Merewether, Political Officer, Dthala,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel J. Davies, First Assistant Resident, Aden.
With reference to copy of letter No. 3151-E. A., dated Simla, 22nd
September 1904, from the Under Secretary to the Government of India,
Foreign Department, forwarded with your endorsement No. 188 of
10th October 1904, I have the honour to offer the following remarks for the
consideration of the Besident.
2. In paragraph 2 of the letter, the following sentence occurs “ the wis
dom of the direct grant of stipends to a tribe such as the Kotaibi, who are de
pendents of the Amir of Dthala, seems, moreover, to be exceedingly doubtful.”
It is true that the Kotaibis are nominally dependents of the Amir of |
Dthala. They do not, however, acknowledge his suzerainty and, were it not
for the presence of our troops in the Amir’s country, they would undoubtedly
take active steps to prove their independence, steps which I have little doubt 1
would prove successful.
tu.i ^ wil ] n -° W giVG ? brief de8Cri P tion of the present position of the Amir of
Dthala and or the Kotaibi. The Amir has never occupied so strong a position
as he does at the present moment. This, howevdr, is solelv due to the presence
or British troops. , *
His avarice, treachery and cruelty have made his name a bv-word
amongst even the Arabs with whom such attributes are common. He has