File 869/1904 Pt 1 'Arms Traffic: - Red Sea, Africa & Aden' [‎188r] (380/580)

[Confidential ]
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No. 5789, dated Bombay Castle, the 15th September 1905.
F rom _The Hobble Mr. S. W. Edgerley, C.I.E., Chief Secretary to the Govern
ment of Bombay, Political Department,
T 0 —The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
I am directed to forward herewith, for the information of the Government
of India and for smch action as they may think possible, copy of a letter
No. 5365, dated the 3rd September 1905, and of its accompaniment, from
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. , Aden, in regard to the traffic in slaves that is carried on
between Preach and Turkish territories, and the traffic in arms in the Red Sea.
Confidential.
No. 5365, 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 3rd September 1905.
From— Colonel R. I. Scallon, C.B., C.I.E., D.S.O., Acting 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 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. , Political, Department.
I have the honour to report, for the information of Government, that
on the 19th ultimo I received a telegram from the Assistant Resident at Perim
that he had received reliable information that 70 slaves were shortly about to
be despatched from Tajourah to Jeddah.
2. I communicated this information at once to the Senior Naval Officer,
Aden, and also by telegram to His Majesty’s Consul at Jeddah, and I attach
herewith a copy of a letter which I have now received in reference to that
information from the Senior Naval Officer, Aden.
3. 1 am instructing the Assistant Resident at Perim to send me any
further information he can collect from native craft visiting that island as to
the movements of M. Grandjean’s dhows.
H. M. S. “ Pox ” at Perim ;
31st August 1905.
In reply to your communication of 19th and 22nd instant with reference
to the slave trade between Prench and Turkish territories, I have the honour
to bring to your notice the following information obtained from native sources,
on this°subject and also on the arms traffic in the Red Sea.
2. Some caravans have recently arrived at Tajourah from Abyssinia, one
of which was commanded by Mahomed Abu Rekr, a General of King
Menelek. He was taking the following presents from his Sovereign to the
Turkish Sultan • viz.j 10 eunuchs, 2 lions, 2 ostriches, 1 zebra, and several other
wild animals. These came by dhows from lajourah to Jibouti, where they were
transhipped to the Prench mail for Port Said, about 17th, en route to Constan
tinople.
3. In the other caravan were a considerable number of Abyssinian slave-
girls. These were shipped in two dhows, 73 in one and 12 in the other, at a
place 11°—20° S. W. of Perim, inside the Brothers. They passed through
the Straits of Babel Mandeb at night about 11th or 15th instant.
4. The dhows belong to the Chief of Rahaita, an Italian subject, who
received 12 dollars a head for conveying them to Jeddah.
5. M. Grandjean, the Government Agent in charge at Obokh, is very
nearly a native, having married a Danakil woman, wTiilst he wears an Arab
dress, and lives in native style. He is reputed to possess seven other native
wives, the majority of whom are Abyssinians and represent the toll paid by
caravans for permission to traverse Prench territory. He owns six armed
native dhows (French colours) that act as escorts to native vessels.
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