File 3300/1916 Pt 2 'Aden News Letters:- (Jan. 1917-Dec. 1917)' [‎191r] (381/620)

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 2nd (received the 19th) June 1917.
From— Major-General J. M. Stewart, C.B.. 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. at Aden,
To—The Hon’ble Mr. A. H. Grant, C.S.L, C.I.E., Foreign Secretary to the Govern
ment of India in the Foreign &- Political Department, Simla.
Letters received from the Alawi Shaikh and his son confirm the former
reports about the unrest in the Yemen and report rumours of a move on the part
of the Idrisi against the Imam and the capture of 9 villages belonging to the latter.
This requires confirmation as we have no news of any such move from the Idrisi
himself.
The Alawi’s son says that Saiyid Muhammad Darwish is at present in Upper
Yafa preparing to attack Kataba and the Amir of Dala. A similar letter has been
received from theJVfausata Sheikhs (Upper Yafa) giving news of disturbances in
the Yemen and referring to Saiyid Muhammad Darwish’s preparations. They
report that the Sheikh of Jabal Badan-al-Doais who has been fighting with the
Turks hasdately inflicted heavy losses on them. The Shaikhs are asking for assist
ance in arms and ammunition in order to strengthen themselves.
Please see paragraph 10 of my Weekly Letter, dated 8th May 19L7. I have
diow received letters from the Akils of the Markashi section of the Fadli Tribe and
from Sultan Abdul Kadir, the grandson of the Fadli Sultan, from which it appears
that the old man has not been deposed, but he has promised the Akils not to go
again to the Turks or to have anything to do with them in future. The Akils
state that they are supporting the grandson but they all, as well as the grandson
plead for the old Sidtan and ask for his pardon on the ground that he is old and of
enfeebled intellect. I am sending them a reassuring reply.
Please refer to paragraph 6 of my Weekly Letter, dated 8th May 1917. The
Abdali Sultan’s secret agent at Lahej has sent further information concerning
the money-convoys from Constantinople. A copy of a note on the subject sent
to the Arab Bureau, the Senior Naval Officer, Red Sea Patrol, and the Chief
Political Officer, Busrah is attached for your information. His Majesty’s High
Commissioner, Cairo, has informed me that one party with £20,000 was captured
by the Sheriff’s forces. There remains one party yet to be accounted for.
The Abdali’s secret agent reports the capture by the Turks of Hassan Raid
Abu Has, one of the “ combine ” against Ibn Nasir Mukbil.
The following information gathered from Lahej may be of interest:—-
Before the outbreak of hostilities in the Hejaz a sum of £30,000 in cash and
a similar amount in notes was despatched from Constantinople for the use of the
troops in Yemen. In all six officers were sent, divided into 3 parties. They
apparently were in Medina together and left by 3 separate roads.
Two of these officers arrived at Lahej on the 20th May with money. They
do not know what has become of the other four but they presume that they must
have fallen into the hands of the Sheriff’s men.
The two who arrived at Lahej state that they came through the Ibn Baud’s
country ; that he captured them and would have surrendered them to the British, j
In consequence of their remonstrance over the enormity of handing a refugee over
to foreigners he released them and they continued their journey to Sana’a.
The same correspondent mentions the despatch of a further sum of money,
£300,000 through Germany by sea. This is said to be going to be landed at some
sea port in Oman and brought overland to Lahej. No details as to time of despatch,
etc., are given.
RLV S£(j/
W. M. P. WOOD, Major, *
First Assistant Resident, Aden.
G M. Press, Simla—Xo. Clo 7 FD—21-6-17—16—M.D.