File 600/1905 Pt 1 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Dthala' [‎389r] (39/174)

{ « U V I . W ? ld J n0 ‘ T ? 08e my i repo ' t 1 without allu3!on to trade potentialities, all in embryo,
of the Hinterland. It seems to me that our closer political relations should be chiefly utilised
towards fostering its trade. Commerce on free and secure lines will tend more than anything
else to ensure the prosperity of the Hinterland. A railway, good roads, knowledge of the
various trade-routes—all these require tune to elaborate. °
Th « U PP« Yafdi trade is, I believe, considerable. Ad en does not receive a tithe of
its produce. It must be going elsewhere or withering for want of stimulus. The imports into
Aden of coffee have greatly diminished of late, and we cannot ascribe the diminution to drought
solely. °
4 - v, ^ i t ^ ie , ?°^ en opportunity to detail a special olficer, possessing the requisite
technical knowledge, to come up and study the Hinterland trade. The Aden Chamber of
theoS C a e ily might ^ addreSSed • 1 believe the raatter has been considered, so far only
14. To sum up: I do not think the time is mature for an evacuation of this country.
As a matter or fact we know too little about it and its possibilities to accurately gauo-e the
position. In a year or two we shall be better able to discuss the pros and eons. J & °
15. We have put our hand to the plough and should not look back, till we leave an
indelible impression on the country and generate a desire for self-improvement and progress.
Uur dealings with the distant tribes have been carried on for 60 years by proxy. This policy 5 may
still be pursued, in part, with advantage. We cannot afford to kick away the ladder up which
we have climbed. A new era, however, has begun and we shall incur great loss of prestige,
it we retrace our steps Adenwards, and shall, also, cut ourselves adrift from vast 80 urces°of
hrst-hand knowledge of a country which promises to engage the attention, should Turkish
influence decline, of nations other than ourselves.
* fy nothing of a possible permanent Sanitarium for British troops at D’thala
or on Jabal Jahaf. It is a matter rather for Military considerations.
17. As to personnel should Government elect to hold their ground, it is inexpedient to
leave the Political Officer all at once without some escort larger than the present one of
21 Aden Troopers. Nor should he be bereft of guns.
18. ^ If the Indian troops are recalled, the question of the occupation of posts on the lines of
communication will come up for settlement. Little difficulty will be experienced save in the
matter of Sulek and Hardaba.
19* The question of the ownership of these places is still unsettled and is a delicate one
likely to cause a considerable amount of bad blood. Ownership is one thing; another as
important, is the expediency of ensuring that the strongest party shall come into the possession
of places along which trade moves. The solution may best lie in the adoption of a system of
mixed tribal levies—and the general introduction of levies is a matter worth careful
consideratioa.
^0.' I am just now going by invitation into the Kotaibi country and will again report on
this subject which will include a discussion of the relations between the Amir and his tribesmen,
and how best to devise a course by which security along the trade-routes in that quarter can
be permanently guaranteed. At present it is solely our presence in DThala that constrains the
wilder of the Radfan tribes. Left to themselves, the history of the Kotaibis, since we knew
them in 1881, has been a record of temporary inaction alternating with more frequent reprisals
and caravan raidings. Our departure at this time would be the signal for the ebullition of
feelings only temporarily under restraint.
21. Finally it is work within, and up to, the border to which pre-eminence should be given.
As local officer in touch with tribal opinion and feeling, I hope that Grovernment will resolve
that the time is not ripe for any radical change of policy, but will rather elect, as indeed a
consensus of tribal opinion will wish, “ to enlarge the place of our tents, to lengthen the cords
and strengthen the stakes.”
H. F. JACOB, Captain,
Political Officer, DThala.
No. 322 of 1905.
Opfice of the Political Officer*
D’thala, 27th July 1905,
Forwarded with compliments to the First Assistant Resident, for the information of the
Resident, with reference to 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. Office No. 3257 (Confidential) of 4th June 1905.
H. F. JACOB, Captain,
Political Officer, D’thala.