'Aden Boundary' [‎26r] (3/6)

3
29tt December, and that, if this offer ferns, he should, in accordance with his
suggestion, propose to conclude with them a treat,, of fJZnff , ht>
combined with a stipend. In view of the policy nidi Jedin my lertllZam
of to-day s (late, this ought to be sufficient. Protection may however be
promised, if found absolutely necessary. But, in the event of this premise
being found necessary, it must be given in such guarded terms that it doe Jot
commit us to maintain the actual limits of occupation by the tribes if it
should be found advisable to adopt some compromise, as the result of the
investigations off tne Commission. ^
II.— Military Arrangements.
Hie escort which was originally detailed to accompany the British Com
mission consisted of about loO men, viz., a company of native infantry, and
a few sappers and miners and Aden troop.
On the 20th March 1902 the Resident reported that armed parties in Turkish
pay were interfering with the surveying and foraging operations of the
Commission and that he had strengthened the escort by a half company of
native infantry.
On the 12th April rumours were prevalent of an intended attack from
Tfliz on the British Camp. Colonel Wahab. did not attach much importance
to the mm ours, but he asked for some British troops and two mountain guns.
The Resident proposed to utilise this opportunity of testing the suitability of
the Dthali plateau as a sanatorium by sending up 40 Rritish infantry and
25 gunners with two guns. At the same time he said he was not without
anxiety as to the safety of the Commission. The Secretary.of State declined,
subject to discretion being left to the Resident to take any steps necessary
to secure the safety of the Commission, to allow troops to he moved up
pending the result of repre sentations to Turkey. On the ] 2th of May the
Resident was again authorised to strengthen the Commission by any troops
necessary for its safety and support within the line we claimed.
On the 14th May the Resident reported that the Turks had made large
encroachments recently, and he doubted whether they could be induced to
evacuate without a display of force on our side. The Secretary of State
merely repeated his previous instructions.
On the 1st June the Resident reported that the Turkish force on the
Dthali plateau, exclusive of the Turkish Commissioners’ escort, amounted to
800 men with eight guns, 'ihe Resident pointed out that no troops could
now be moved up from Aden for some weeks at least.
On the 10th October the Resident reported a suggestion by Colonel Wahab
that, in view of the strong pressure being exerted by the Turks on tribes
which he held to be subsidiary to the Amir of Dthali, troops should be sent
up. The Resident suggested that it might be expedient to undertake
preliminary measures by warning some troops in India for service and by
authorising equipment to be provided at Aden for a column of 500 men.
The Viceroy, with the concurrence of the Foreign Office, was instructed to
take the necessary measures, if he agreed. His agreement was conveyed in
a telegram of the 16th October.
On the 10th November the Resident reported a recommendation by
Colonel Wahab that, when the movement of the Commission to the North-
East took place, a column of 100 men, of whom some should be British, should
be stationed at Dthali. This proposal was supported by the Viceroy (24th
November). On the 2nd December the Secretary of State authorised the
Resident’s proposal being carried out, and the despatch from India to Aden,
if necessary, of a battalion of native infantry for reinforcement, but no
movement of troops from Aden was to take place without further instructions.
On the 9th December the Resident reported that he doubted whether a
reinforcement bv one battalion from India would be sufficient, should a
display of force be an object distinct from the occupation of Dthali. He
thought that at least half a battalion of British infantry, and a native
mountain battery should be sent in addition.