"تقرير عن القبائل العربية المجاورة لعدن" [ظ‎‎٥‎١] (٤٠٤/١٠٧)

90
ARAB TRIBES IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
In July the Shairf tribesmen^ who had long complained of
the 'Amir’s treachery and tyranny, now openly rebelled, and
fighting was chronic throughout the year. 1 he people of
Jabal Jihaf made a compact with the Shain's against the 'Amur
who was taking excessive dues on their hill.
A murder was committed at Hazzat al Atid ( Amfrf) of a
Turkish subject by Hazza people. Ami'r Shaif was unable
to give satisfaction owing to the downward trend of his
authority.
An improvement of the Khoraiba Pass road was com
menced by the 8ist Pioneers
The frequent changes in the Kataba Kaimmakamship
since 1904 precluded satisfactory settlements being effected of
'Amirf border affairs, and retaliations were common by Arabs
on both sides of the border.
In December 'Ami'r Shaif went personally to the Radfdn
tribesmen to collect mercenaries to attack the Shairf tribesmen
who in turn indented on Mares (Turkish) for assistance. The
Political Agent by corresponding with the Kaim Makam of
Kataba was able to prevent the latter responding to the call.
The style of the Political Officer, Dthdla, was early in the
year changed to “ Political Agent The latter in December
accompanied the Political Resident to Bombay to discuss
Hinterland affairs with His Excellency the Governor.
During the year the Turkish authorities paid to the Poli
tical Agent the sum of £400 sterling which was the sum
fixed by the Commissioners as representing the loss of revenues
sustained by 'Ami'r Shaif during the wrongful occupation by
the Turks of the collection of villages termed Bilad al
Ashraf.
Shamsi Bey the Customs Officer at Shakhah (Turkish)
sought the protection of the Political Agent at Dthdla. He
was accused by the Kataba authorities of embezzlement of
State monies. The charge was denied. Shamsi Bey even
tually returned to Kataba after ensuring that an accountant
should be deputed from San’d to examine his books.
On 7th January the main body of troops left Dthdla for
Aden, the Political Agent being left in
Dthdla with an escort of 150 men of the
81st Pioneers and 2 machine guns, while 75 men at each of