File 600/1905 Pt 1 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Dthala' [‎433v] (128/174)

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say, he proposes that a scale of transit dues should be laid down, and embodied
in the treaty. The question of transit dues is one which has been giving us
some trouble, and considerable attention has already been paid the subject.
Certain agreements between the Chiefs, and the Resident, are in existence, in
which the former undertake to levy dues on fixed scales ; hut they are now of
somewhat ancident date, and require revision. This would have been under-
taken by now, if the Boundary Commission, and matters connected therewith,
had not occupied so much of our time and attention. The revision, however,
will necessitate negociations with the Chiefs, and will take time. I would
deprecate dealing with one chief alone, and besides, to do this in the case of the
Amir would delay the conclusion of the treaty. I therefore do not recommend
that the suggestion should be carried out.
6. Lieutenant-Colonel Ahud, like myself, draws the attention of Govern
ment to the similarity in the positions of the Amir of Dthala and the Haushabi
Sultan, with respect to the trade routes. He proposes that the allowances of
these chiefs should be equalized. The stipend of the Haushabi is 136 dollars
per mensem, and my recommendation as regards that of the Amir is that he
should he granted 100 dollars a month, with a condition attached regarding the
maintenance of men to protect the road. I think we might see whether this
will be accepted.
Government of India letter No. 464-E.A., dated 10th February 1904.
The above letter and the correspondence underlying it has been forwarded
to me for remarks under the endorsement of the Chief Secretary to the Govern
ment of Bombay, No. 1442, dated 26th February 1904, which requests me to
forward the same direct to the Resident at Aden.
The Resident’s proposals include—
(а) the permanent location of a Political Officer at Dthala;
(б) an escort at Dthala of varying strength, composed of details from
the Aden garrison;
(c) the enlistment, from the 11 tribes on or near the boundary line of
the Amiri and Shaibi frontier, of a levy of 40 men at a monthly
cost of Rs. 745.
C has been postponed at all events for the present. His Excellency the
Governor-General in Council is disposed to agree to the conclusion of a fresh
treaty with the Amir of Dthala, providing expressly for—
(D the free and safe transit for British officers or parties ;
(2) the maintenance of boundary pillars on the Amiri borders;
(3) the good conduct of the tribesmen within the border; and prompt
information as to interference or disturbance from beyond the
boundary;
(4) the lease, if required at a later date, of a site for Sanatarium for
Aden and the grant of land necessary for railway purposes ;
(5) acceptance of responsibility by the Amir for the safety of the
caravan routes;
(6) the right of the British Government to station a Political Officer
and the necessary escort at Dthala whenever this is held to he
necessarv: and
(7) the right, in the event of the Amir failing to keep order within his
borders, to introduce a levy system, the subsidy being propor
tionately reduced.
As regards («) the Government of India in paragraph 5 of their letter
contemplate the necessity of leaving a Political Officer at Dthala, at all events
for some time after the close of the Commission. This will necessitate the
presence there of the escort in proposal (6).
For the time being therefore proposals and “ft” have been
tioned. The question of the permanent location of a Political Officer at Dthala