'Aden Boundary' [‎27v] (6/6)

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of Jebel Jihaft Mafcne, L a kma t - as-Sa la h , and Jebel Shah ad; but, secondly,
that Jalela, Lakm'at-al-Ilajfar (?), Jalas, and Wabh should be allowed to
remain in military occupation of the Turks; and, thirdly, that the
discussion of the Amiri boundary should be deferred to some future
date and settled in London or Constantinople. As to this policy we
desire to represent that it involves immediate danger, since it will
leave in Turkish hands the communications of our party on the North-
East boundary, and that there is no likelihood of its ever leading to
a peaceful settlement of the Amiri question. The discussion will be spun out
for years, during which we shall be keeping our troops on the spot at great
expense, and the perpetual strain will be sapping the loyalty of the Amir of
Bthali and of the local tribes. H e urge Ilis Majesty*s Government to realise
that the matter cannot be disposed' of by half measures. Every representation
we have hitherto made has been endorsed by Mr. Fitzmaurice s report ; and
our strong recommendation is that we should use the present opportunity to
settle the main question and not merely minor and petty issues. There will
be no peace on Dthali border whilst the Turkish occupation continues south
of Kataba. The blue line on JVahab's map of 2nd December is supported by
powerful arguments and strongly advocated by Mr. Fitzmaurice; and it
seems to us that we are now justified by the persistent bad faith of the Turkish
Government in demanding its acceptance as the frontier. IFe think,
moreover, that the conduct of the Turks on the spot has been so intolerable
during the past year that serious reparation is due to us. As the Forte is
quite aware, it will be impossible in a Jew months’ time for troops to move in
the disputed territory. If definite measures are not taken, controversy will
only be put off till next cold weather, and two years will have been wholly
wasted. Whatever decision may be eventually arrived at as to the apportion
ment of the expense of the delimitation proceedings, it seems to us to be
inequitable that a continuance of tactics of delay should involve the Indian
taxpayer in a risk of further burdens. We think that it would be wise,
should Ilis Majesty's Government agree with our views, to despatch at once
from India two battalions of Native infantry and a second mountain battery,
and to retain for the present at Aden the Dublin Regiment, which is due to
leave next month. To supplement this show of force, or as a substitute for it,
a naval demonstration at Hodeida might be made. We emphatically urge
that the political pivot of the whole question is the Dthali plateau, and that
any settlement which leaves its future in protracted doubt will be valueless.
C. G. C.
India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. ,
20th January 1903.
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