'Monograph on the Aden Hinterland as touching the States of Dthala, Yafa', Alawi, etc., by Major H F Jacob, late Political Agent, Dthala.' [‎18r] (40/48)

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been a different man and is now one of our best friends and well-wishers,
llis treatment for fever for several months in our Dthala Dispensary served
to increase his respect for us, and was an excellent object lesson to the whole
country side of Our fairness and absence of malice. Many an Arab from Yafa’
tried to dissuade Ali Mohsin from trusting to British good faith and hinted at
the excellent opportunity he was giving us, under the guise of treatment, to
put him quietly out of the way. He was deaf to all their representations
and declared that if our intentions were bad, the process we employed was
most palateable to him, and he meant to stick to us. He was eventually
cured, and returned to his country. The demolition of the pillar, since
repaired by the Sheikh in charge, has thus proved a valuable political asset to
us, though at the time it was thought likely to prove a precedent that might
be followed by others who fancied themselves aij^rieved, and the incident
might have given rise to awkward correspondence with the Turks, who would
view with suspicion any ex-parte restoration of the boundary marks.
71. Hie transaction whereby Juban was proclaimed Turkish while
Unbeaten, the Bani Dtbabiani and Ya’wa were allowed by the Turks to be
under our influence is not in practice altogether satisfactory. Juban is admit
tedly lurkish, hut it has had from time immemorial close commerce not only
with Yafa’, but also with Na’wa and the Bani Dtbabiani over which tracts the
Bani Nakib of Mausatta (Yafa’) claim to exercise some sort of control. Only
lately there were disturbances between Juban and Na’wa, when the Mausatta
Sheikhs were asked to adjudicate. Not only Mausatta but Kahtan, the Muflahi
and the Hadthrami were similarly petitioned by Juban. These stipendiaries
were warned to steer clear off any action that would be resented by the Turkish
official of Bahaa’ into which Katlia Juban properly falls. The line of division
between us and the Turks is not readily understood by the Arabs, but Mausatta
promised to be cautious though they shewed the necessity of proceeding them
selves to Juban. This they did and matters at dispute were^settled though
not without a slight skirmish.
72. One of the Juban Sheikhs Ali Ubad (alias Ali Abdul Karim)
visited me in 1906 and on several occasions has made violent attacks on
Turkish methods and declared his wish to come under our flag. I have told
Lim as often that he is beyond our sphere and so, while glad to consider him our
friend, we must remind him ot our friendship with the Turks and that perfect
reciprocity of action between the two Governments could not permit of our
encouraging his overtures. He then adopted an opposite line and wrote viru
lently abusive of everything British, reminding me of his Turkish proclivities
and asserting his antagonism to everything non-Moslem. I took no notice
of this effusion which was shortly afterwards repented of and followed by
letters eulogising methods British and again decrying the Turkish administra
tion which aimed at the extinction of Juban’s independence. Juban has in
1906 made overtures to Mausatta (Yafa’) and wrote me that Juban was one
with Yafa’, i.e.y the Bani VVais of Juban with ’Ali Abdul Karim as chief.
Ahmad Bubakr Abdul Rab the co-Sheikh has also written to know our
intentions towards himself. 1 have reminded him of his obligations to Turkish
demands.
73. Na’wa and Bani Dthabiani are both “ sitting on the fence ”, but w r ere
eager to know in whose sphere of influence they are situate. Na’wa wrote as
Juban has done decrying the British, but I think it w'as merely an attempt to
draw our sympathy. I have had much correspondence with them. They can
be approached, if necessary, through the medium of Ali Mohsin Askar of the
Mausatta.
74. llubeaten is clearly under Kahtan’s tutelage, though supervision is
now exercised by his brother Saleh. A fixed portion of its revenues are re
coverable by Kahtan’s House. The Sheikhs are most friendly and have often
pressed me to visit their country.
75. Regular correspondence with these countries would entail an outlay
of Darbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). presents and probably raise expectation of stipends to which claims
would b? raised.