File 600/1905 Pt 1 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Dthala' [‎448v] (158/174)

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to porrmlaints from the Turkish Ambassador in London, that it was difficult to
acceut responsibility for raids across the frontier, so long as the latter remained
11 ndemarcated * but, now that delimitation has been completed on the Amiri
herder there is no doubt that the measure of our responsibility for the good
behaviour of the tribes within the Protectorate has increased. Moreover,
though the Governor in Council has not specifically referred to the point,
the Government of India consider that they are not only entitled, hut are
called upon in view of all the expense and trouble which have been incurred
in securing ’the Amir of Dtbala against violation of his territories, to insist
upon a greater immunity to the caravan routes passing through Amiri territory
between the interior and Aden.
4 The determination of the means, however, by which these aims are to
be effected applies, not only to the border, 60 miles long, of the Amiri country,
and to the territory within that border, but to the Haushabi and Subaihi
border and to the whole length of the frontier that may eventually be demar
cated ’ Consequently, if the present scheme be accepted, even on the moderate
scale proposed by the Resident, the Government of India will be in danger of
finding themselves committed to a system that is certain to call for considerable
expansion, that will involve large expenditure, and for the ultimate success of
which there do not appear at present to be any certain guarantees. Before
taking any such step, they would desire to have further opinions, and they
think 0 that the Commissioners who have resided for so long in the Amiri and
Shaibi countries might be consulted with advantage.
5. Similarly, the Governor-General in Council is not prepared, from the
information at his disposal, to pronounce finally at the present stage upon the
suggestion to station one of the Political Assistants permanently at Dthali.
It will probably be found necessary to leave such an officer there for a time,
and to place at his disposal a small escort of regular troops; and the Govern
ment of India are prepared to assent to this arrangement for so long as it may
be shown to be necessary.
As regards the levy, it may be that some such force will ultimately be
required, since the capacity of the tribes to keep the peace may be doubted,
while it is possible that trouble may be fomented across the border. But it
seems to His Excellency in Council that the Political Officer who may be left
at JDthali will be in a better position to advise on this matter, when he has been
there for some little time after the Commission has retired. It is from every
point of view far preferable that the Amir should defend his country with his
own men : and no effort should be spared to pursue this attempt, and to provide
it with reasonable chances of success.
6. In order to secure the above objects, it seems desirable that the new
treaty with the Amir should, in addition to the four engagements^ which have
already been named, adsmstipulate Tor (a) acceptance of responsibility by the
Amir for the safety of the caravan routes, (d) the right of the British Govern
ment to station a Political Officer and the necessary escort at Hthali whenever
this is held to be necessary, and (c) the right, in the event of the Amir failing
to keep order within his borders, to introduce a levy syste m, the subsidy being
proportionately reduced. These conditions miglit™he^amalgamated in some more
concise and suitable form. In return, the Government of India will be prepared
to raise the monthly stipend of the Amir to 50 dollars in place of the
Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). gifts.
7. I am to ask that the proposals indicated above may now, with
the permission of the Governor in Council, be forwarded to the Resident, with
a request that he will obtain the opinions upon them of the members of the
Boundary Commission, and of any other selected officers, Military and Political,
whom he may desire to consult; and that he will submit these opinions, together
with his own, at an early date 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. .^ In the event
of the report being in favour of that part of the suggestion which involves the
location of a Political Officer and small escort at Dthali, I am to request that
General Maitland be directed to submit, with his report, an estimate of the
cost of the proposal'for one year. I am also to ask that the name of the
officer whom he would propose to leave at Dthali may be submitted.
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