File 869/1904 Pt 2 'Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa and Aden' [‎157r] (322/540)

3
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5 . I sailed for Khadara in the afternoon. There being no place spelt quite like
that on the chart of the Batineh Coast, I selected Al Khadhra, as being most similar in
sound, and arrived there about noon on the 19th. This proved to be a small village
composed chiefly of mat huts. 1 landed, and was met. on the beach by a ruffianly-
looking mixed crowd of Seedies, Baluchis, Arabs, and a few Somalis. Before the
interpreter could complete the usual preliminaries—inquiries for the Headman, &c. 1
was surprised to hear him tell me that we were being abused, and told that we had no
business to come to their village, and had better get away quickly.
The most offensive person was a light-skinned young man, whether Baluchi or
Arab 1 am not certain.
He not only threatened and abused us, but prevented others who appeared to be
inclined to be more civil from talking to us.
1 endeavoured to reason with the others, and demanded respect for the British
flag, and pointed out that we were the good friends of their Sultan.
This was of no avail. They said the BritBh ship had no business there, and they had
no fear of the Sultan. I endeavoured to ascertain whether this place was really
Khadara, and who and where the Headman was. They said they had no Headman, and
refused to answer any more questions.
I then thought it expedient to conclude the interview, and returned to the ship
without having mentioned the real object of our visit.
6 . Wishing to make certain that I had been to the right place, I then proceeded
to Al Khabura, 17 miles further west, the name being somewhat similar to Khadara.
Here I found a thriving community of fifty to sixty British Indian subjects who
were delighted to see the ship.
They welcomed me on the beach with a salute of three guns fired from an ancient
small piece of ordnance. The wad of the third round fired as I stepped ashore was,
incidentally, unpleasantly close to my helmet.
They told me they were very well treated by the Wall and Sheikh, with whom
their relations were very cordial, and they requested me to thank these gentlemen
on their behalf, and to express the hope that the happy relations would continue.
I saw the Wali and Sheikh before leaving. I learnt that Khad r ra is the general
name of the villages around Al Khadhra, and that the people theie were of evil icpute.
Also that Somalis are in the habit of frequenting Al Khadhra on the way up and down
the Gulf in the date season, and that they purchase and ship dates from there. No
Somalis ever come to Al Khabura.
7. This information confirmed thcit I held been to the lignt place, and my suspicioiis
that the reason for the offensive attitude of the Al Khadhra people was that they
correctly guessed the object of our visit was in connection with Somali arms, which aie
probably there on shore.
There were no native craft at Al Khadhra.
8 . I then returned to Muscat, arriving here at ft a.m., the 20th. 1 told Captain
Scott I.M.S., Acting Consul, what had happened, and he has communicated with you
I also went with Captain Scott and interviewed His Highness the Sultan with regard
to the Al Khadhra incident, directing him to investigate the case, and, if possible,
punish the chief offenders, and he suggested that I should convey the letter in the
9 . I wculd suggest that some action to enforce respect for our flag is desirable,
but as the Sultan’s authority over these people appears to be only nominal, the
question appears to be rather a difficult one, and I shall be glad to know what action you
^0 I have briefly reported to my Commander-in-chief that I met with a hostile
reception from the people of Al Khadhra, and that you have been communicated with.
11 I do not consider that any further steps with regard to the capture of Somali
arms that may be at Al Khadhra or Sur can he taken by me so long as they remain
ashore. At the former place, I certainly think they could only be obtained by force, hut
I should not think that this would be countenanced. , „ Q r
It may perhaps be possible to do something when the arms are shipped for Somali
land, if reliable and early information can be obtained as to the time and place of loading,
and, if possible, the names of the vessels. I would endeavour to keep a ship at or near
Muscat for this service. „ „
At Sur it is not expected that the monsoon will permit the departure ot any native
vessels for Somaliland for some two or three weeks, and judging y - ^ 1 ' 1 e
monsoon I experienced coming across this is correct.