File 3300/1916 Pt 3 'Aden News-Letters: 1919-20' [‎329r] (13/633)

i.This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty’s Government.
EASTERN (Arabia.)
CONFIDENTIAL.
[December 21.]
Section 1.
[E 15919/47/44] No. 1 .
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 Earl Curzon.—[Received December 21.)
(No. 54.)
My Lord, ^ ^ Aden, Novernber 26, 1920.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lordship’s information, a copy of the
twenty-oigfhth Aden news letter dated the 25th November, 1920.
I have, &c.
T. E. SCOTT, Major-General.
Enclosure in No. 1 .
Twenty-eitfkdi Aden News Letter.
I
THE following is a summary of the news reported since the despatch of my last
letter dated the 12 th November, 1920.
Tihama .—The Political Officer, Hodeida, writes that the Italians who visited
Khokha and Hais last September were Signor Fazzi, a merchant of Massowah and his
accountant. During their visit they are said to have offered to repair the Turkish court
house at Hals and also to supply new telegraph apparatus. The offer was, however,
declined both by the Sheikh and the Mansab. The Italians returned to Assab with two
dhows laden with skins and coffee. They appear to have given up the idea of starting
trade with Khokha as Signor Fazzi is reported to have stated on his return to Massowah
that it was unsafe at present as the people were hostile to Europeans. This report is
confirmed by the Political Officer, Hodeida, who states that the sheikh and the Mansab
have told the people of Khokha not to allow any Italians to land again. It is further
reported that the people are opposed to entering into trade transactions with Italians,
as although their goods are inferior in quality and very expensive they refuse to trade
except on cash terms.
The Political Officer, Hodeida., reports that the Italian ship “ Nilo” referred to in
my last letter, called at Hodeida on the 1 st November, 1920, and left for Massowah on
the 4 th. The Italians whose names appear to be Fattigatti (not Fidioti or Nidiotti) and
Rossi, stated that they had visited Port Soudan, Jeddah, Qunfidah, Jizan and Kamaran,
and that their business was to inquire into the facilities for trade with the Yemen ports.
They did not seem to be satisfied with the result of their inspection.
Signor Fattigatti is said to represent the firm of Pampurri and Martini, and Signor
Rossi is an independent merchant. The former, who was born and educated in Turkey,
has been in Massowah for many years. The Political Officer states that Signor
Fattigatti intends to start business in Hodeida, where he has engaged a house.
Signor Rossi tried to secure a cargo of coffee for Egypt, but failed. The “ Nilo ”
left Hodeida with a small consignment of senna leaves, skins and coffee for Massowah
from Signor Pardo, an Italian merchant at Hodeida. The ship is expected back about
the end of this month.
Mahomed Amin, the principal Sheikh of Jebel Reima, has submitted to the
Political Officer, Hodeida, a petition, which I am forwarding officially. He requests
that we should make both the Imam and the Idrisi withdraw to their respective
frontiers and thus prevent bloodshed and plunder until a settlement about his country
is reached.
The sheikh visited Hodeida on the 3rd instant, stating that he wished to stay in
Hodeida till the future of his country was settled, but he has since left for Massowah
in the Italian ship “ Nilo.” He was accompanied by Kadi Hamood Harazi, the
ex-Mudir of Saafan. The object of their visit to Massowah is not known. Signor
Fattigatti is said to have offered them free passage.
The Military Administrator, Hodeida, has sent me copies of two letters written by
Mahmud Nadhim, the ex-Vali of the Yemen, to the Sheikh of Jebel Reima and Kadi
[5096 x —1]