Coll 6/61 'The Yemen: Relations between H.M.G. and the Imam.' [‎58v] (118/507)

8
be saved in actual time unless the Governor of Ta'iz was prepared to construct a really
well made road at great labour and expense, as the present route avoids physical
difficulties with the result that motor traffic can proceed along it with average speed.
I tentatively suggested to Seiyid ‘Ali, who had told me that various alternative routes
had been reconnoitred and found unsuitable, that a reconnaissance from the air made
by an engineer would be the best means of discovering the most suitable route, and
if he would like us to assist him in this I would tell the Resident. He replied that, at
present, he knew that the King would not agree to machines flying over Yemen territory
for any purpose, but perhaps later on he might, and I expressed a hope that he would
let us know if he wanted our assistance and we should be only too pleased to give it if
possible, for which he thanked me.
But it was evident that Seiyid ‘Ali had already been put to considerable expense over
the construction of the present route and, such being the case, it is unlikely that he will
wish to construct a new one.
35. We reached the frontier (53 miles) in just under 4 hours actual going, but could
have done it comfortably in 3| if our driver had not dawdled at the start.
At the frontier we found Captain Seager, the Frontier Officer, and we transferred
into the cars which had been sent out from Aden.
It took us another 3£ hours actual going to reach Lahej, which is 47 miles from the
frontier, and we reached Aden, where our party broke up, at 4.30 p.m.
The Mission met with a very cordial reception everywhere.
36. The change of attitude of the Yemeni officials and their broader outlook on life
generally was very noticeable in contrast to their bearing at the time of the Clayton
Mission and when I visited San‘a in January, 1932. They seemed to realize that there
were other countries in the world besides the Yemen and that the Yemen is only a
very small portion of the universe, and very backward. Instead of a constant attitude
of suspicion of foreign interference and a desire to live in a world of their own, desire for
progress has arisen and the realization that such progress cannot be attained without
outside help. In this respect, there appeared to be a very genuine sense of relief that the
Treaty with Great Britain had been successfully concluded and a genuine wish that
Great Britain should be the Power to whom the Yemen Government should turn to
assist her.
I made a point, at every opportunity, of assuring the King, and others, of
His Majesty’s Government’s willingness and desire to assist the Yemeni Government to
the best of its ability.
The Foreign Minister’s apologies to me for the inefficiency of the Yemen Government,
as it is at present, and for the ineptitude and, in some cases, local-mindedness of the
King’s governoi;S and ‘Amils, indicated a realization of the country’s failings and
weakness. But though these failings are apparent to all thinking Yemeni officials and
the desire to eliminate them is sincere, any attempt to do so must be gradual as long
as the present autocratic ruler, whose suspicion of Government reform and whose
conservatism are still factors with which to reckon, is alive.
37. A very noticeable feature of the King’s policy is his fear of permitting anything
which might offend Italian susceptibilities. In this he is probably influenced by his
Treaty with the Italian Government which was the first Treaty ever made with
a European foreign Power and by his consequent disinclination to grant any concession
or to approve any suggestion put forward by another foreign Power which he would
not be willing to grant to Italy. As instances of this are Sir Bernard Reilly’s tentative
broaching to Qadhi Raghib of the subject of constructing a landing ground at San'a
{vide Sir Bernard Reilly’s Report), my own mention of the same subject in January,
1932, with regard to a landing ground near Ta'iz (desired by Seiyid Ali, the Governor),
the King’s refusal to allow a Political Officer to be stationed at San'a on behalf of His
Majesty’s Government (though were it not for thoughts of Italy he would probably
welcome one), his present objection to the proposal of His Majesty’s Government that
direct W/T communication should be established between Aden and San'a {vide supra),
and his protests should any aircraft transgress his frontier.
To any such proposals as those mentioned above the reply is usually given that
“ the present time is not suitable but that after a year or two it is hoped, etc.”, and
one wonders whether the Imam’s Treaty with the Italian Government, which expires
in September, 1936 (or May, 1936, if Moslem years are considered), may not influence
the reply and that the construction which can be placed on it is that the Treaty will
probably not be renewed.