File 600/1905 Pt 1 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Dthala' [‎379r] (19/174)

Unfortunately what we have done we cannot undo or it would encourage
other tribes to break out in order to get us to redress their grievances.
The point can, however, with care he glossed over.
(6) We deprive the Kotaibis of the dues which had been levied by them
on the Haberlain before our arrival and gave them nothing in
return.
, . With reference to my belief that the Amir was at the bottom of the Kotaib^
rising, I have just come across a letter from Major Pullen, Royal Garrison
• Artillery, dated Nobat Dakim, 28th September 3903, just before the rising,
addressed to General Maitland, in which the following passage occurs —
. ‘‘ Captain Lloyd-Jones tells me from Sulek that the Kotaibis fired on a house
m which the Alawi was staying on the night of the 26th, but did no damage.
He also tells me that the Kotaibis are again restless because the Amir had
promised to get permission for them to collect taxes once more, but now finds
he is unable to carry out this engagement as you do not approve of such a
course. ”
I have no doubt whatever of the accuracy of Captain Lloyd-Jones’ infor
mation on this point, as it agrees with the result of my enquiries in the same
direction.
The result is that we are endangering the peace of the country and the
safety of the trade routes, from a feeling of consideration for the Amir as to a
point on which he has himself never insisted and on which, were we to with
draw, he would be the first to give way.
8. My proposals, then, are as follows:—
1. The suzerainty of the Amir having once been forced on the Kotaibis,
although only in name, cannot now be dropped. It can, however,
be minimized.
2. Mahomed Saleh to receive a monthly stipend of $50, his claim to the
right of levying dues being in no way recognized, but in compen
sation for the loss of a source of income (about I think $100
per mensem) which undoubtedly existed before our arrival and
after it, i.e., till August 1903.
I would not, however, suggest that we bind ourselves to pay the stipend
in perpetuity, but would word the clause to this effect:
“ So long as the stipend of $50 per mensem is paid by Government,
• And his heirs and successors. Mahomed Saleh * to engage not to raise the
. , question of dues nor to allow it to be
raised on their behalf .
1 his suits our convenience, and if at any future date we wish to discontinue
the stipend, we can do so without any breach of faith; the Amir of Dthala can
then, if he is able, compel Mahomed Saleh not to levy dues.
If he proves unable to do so, it supports my belief that our treaty with
the Amir in this direction is valueless to us, as it was with a view to the
suppression of disorder on the road arising from the attempts of the Kotaibis to
levy dues that this clause was mainly inserted.
Properly treated, I believe that the Kotaibis would prove to be our best
friends in this part of the country, and that through Mahomed Saleh our
difficulties in both Upper and Lower Yaffai in the future may be very greatlv
diminished. J J
9. If Mahomed Saleh is granted a stipend, some of the other E ad fan tribes
in the immediate neighbourhood of the direct road from Nobat to Hthala will
also ask for stipends.
I propose that such be granted, terminable at our pleasure to the
following:—
Hijaili
Dthambari .
Bukri
$
• • . 25 per mensem.
. . . 25
. . . 20