File 869/1904 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa and Aden' [‎83r] (174/540)

(2) that such moral and material support should he sriven to the Sultan
of Lahej as will enable him and render him willing to control
various small sub-tribes which are at present subject to no control
m practice, and to also make his territories an efficient barrier to
the trade in arms from Jibouti.
13. Failing the above recommendation it is, of course, possible to try
some of the repressive measures above indicated, or, again, there is still one other
alternative, if it is open to us under the Brussels’ Convention, and that is
that having regard t 0> the attitude of the French and Italian Governments
and to that of the Turkish Government in normal times when not engaged in
putting down its rebels, and having regard to the fact that the Aden Hinter
land is practically already full of arms, and again to the fact that the weapon
which we should supply from Aden would be greatly superior to the LeGras
rifle, which the tribesmen now obtain from Jibouti, the present unequal and
apparently useless struggle against this trade should be abandoned.
No. 6630, 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 29th October 1905.
From— Major-Geneeal H. H. 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 Government, Political Department, Bombay.
In reference to your letter No. 2107, dated the 31st March last, regarding
the illicit importation of arms and ammunition into the Aden Protectorate,
I have the honour to now submit the following remarks for the consideration
of Government.
2. The latest instructions of Government in regard to the supply of arms
and ammunition to the Chiefs of this Protectorate may be summarised as
foRows:—
A.—'Presentation.
(i) 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. may recommend to Government the presenta*
tion of rifles of Government bore, except those taking *303 ammunition, to
Chiefs of this Protectorate for special reasons.
(ii) 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. is authorised to himself present the marginally
Abdal . noted Chiefs with ammunition for such
Fadthii. rifles to the extent of 250 rounds on one
Kishn and Socotra. occasion up to a limit of 750 rounds in a
Shehr and Mokalla. x
year.
To the marginally noted he may similarly present ammunition to the
Haushabi. extent of 200 rounds on one occasion up
Auiiri ' to a limit of 600 rounds in a year.
To other tribes such presentations shall be limited to 100 at a time and
300 in the year.
B.—Supply.
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. may issue on payment to the Chiefs of this Pro
tectorate rifles of Government bore other than those taking '303 ammunition,
and a reasonable quantity of ammunition. Statements of such issues should
be forwarded to Government. Indents should be freely supplied so as to
create the feeling in the minds of the Chiefs concerned that it is not worth
while to go to Jibouti for their supply of arms with the chance of capture
on the way back when they can get all the rifles they want of at least as good
quality without risk at our Arsenal.
C. — Exchange.
It is suggested that arms seized in the course of illicit traffic by the
Chiefs of this Protectorate should be exchanged for other weapons of Govern
ment bore, with a view to inducing Chiefs to interest themselves in making
seizures.
3. This 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. is further asked to express an opinion as to whether it
would be of use to work the guarding of the coast more energetically or whether