'Monograph on the Aden Hinterland as touching the States of Dthala, Yafa', Alawi, etc., by Major H F Jacob, late Political Agent, Dthala.' [‎19v] (43/48)

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81. Next to the Imam come such Lieutenants as the following, and
probably in this order of merit and importance—Abu Naib (a nickname which
means “one with prominent teeth ”), Saif al Khilafa afo'as Ahmad Yahya,
Saiyid Muhammad bin Yusuf, Ali al Mikdad, Ghalib al Mikdad, Tahir Hasan
al Fareh and Kadthi al Akam. The country is full of rumours of their
prowess in the tight.
82. I have elsewhere stated that a Jihad in the Hinterland was not a
probability and certainly not as things now stand, but in the words of a promi
nent Derwish of Jabal llarir and a great friend of mine : “ If the Imam comes to
the front and enters these parts, it is possible.” “ Al Majnun ” of paragraph 78,
though not everywhere credited, is studiously trying to incite the people, lie
arranged a meeting at Al Wabh (Sha’iri) with the notorious Saiyid Ahmed
Mohsin Abd-ud-l)aim (formerly of Lakamat as Saleh and supposed to have
set up the religious fanatic to stab one of the British Commissioners). This
Saiyid was at enmity with Amir Shaif, but is now reconciled. “ Al Majnun ”
preaches from Jabal Harir a coming Armageddon, and if the times were pro
pitious, the doggerel verses now found in every man’s mouth might appear to
call for active expression—
Min Haf ila Jihaf,
Min Ar liakka ila’d Dakka,
Min Akraka ila Hardaba,
Min l ab Aden ila Akraka,
i. e.y the fight will rage from Haf (Shairi) to Jihaf, from Ar Hakka (Shairi) to
Ad Lakka (Jabal Jihaf), from Akraka (Kataba’) to Hardaba (Amiri), and from
the Gate of Aden to Kataba. So says this mysterious personage who has
fixed upon his new abode, and might almost be preparing a special area for a
coming event, as Napoleon who by promulgating his plans well in advance
found the world fascinated and prepared to receive these when the full time
came.
There is a story current from Al Kara (Xower Yafa) of a certain brass
bowl belonging to Sultan Abdallah bin Mohsin. This bowl for long time has
been heard to give out a sound once every year or two, whereas lately it
strikes constantly of itself and has occasioned an expectancy of something
about to happen.
83. There have been prophecies abroad for 300 or 400 years that
some European Power will take the Yemen. A book called SAams 2 il
Maarif contains such a prediction. Arabs have told me the British Govern
ment are bound to return to Dthala and then step still further north. “ A
comet of exceptional lustre is expected in the East. It will herald the dawn
of European supremacy on hills and plain ”. The name European or “ Al
Afrang ” is held to be synonymous with the British.
84. While on this subject it is idle to deny importance to the novel
movement detailed in the book entitled:—
Le Beveil de la Nation Arabs dans I’asie Turque, by Negib Azoury,
0 #-Adjoint du Gouverneur de Jerusalem (Paris, Librairie Plon) and again in
the later book
Les Puissances devant La Pi-evolte Arabe, bv Eugene Jun" (Paris Librairie
Hachette). ^
The books print a manifesto addressed to the Powers by the National Arab
Party of Turkey, * La ligue de la Patrie Arabe.* I attach the preface of one
book in which the programme is given.
PREFACE.
Un manifeste adresse recemment aux puissances par le parti national arabe de la
Turquie s’exprimait ainsi:
“ Un grand changeraent pacifique est a la veille de se produire en Turquie. Les Arabes
que les Turcs ne tyrannisent qu’en les maintenant divisds par des questions insignifiantes