File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎121r] (25/152)

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JiAJ M^A\J M_1
? D /'^ ie so ^ution appears to be to order restitu
tion m tull ot the stolen property by Mobsin-bin-Saleh, to require him to come
^ P 6 ^ 011 .* 0 , Ade i n and tender submission, and to warn him that the future of
Lalahaf will depend upon the readiness with which he submits and upon the
guarantees that he is prepared to offer as to the future conduct of himself and
ins tribe. If lie fails to give satisfaction in any of these respects Government
will then be at liberty to dispose of Balahaf in such manner as may seem
desirable; In the meantime Sultan Ahmed Saleh may be detained at Aden
as a hostage.
I am to request that, with the permission of the Governor in Council,
instructions in this sense may be communicated to the 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
From The Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , Political Department.
Bombay,
To—The Foreign Secretary, Calcutta.
Please see Foreign Department letter No. 3735 E. B., dated the 2nd
November 1901, regarding Balahaf affairs. Mohsin-bin-Saleh arrived at Aden
on 8th December, and tendered formal submission to Resident on 10th.
Following telegrams have been received from Resident, dated 18th, 27th, and
28th January. My letter No. 112, dated 9th January. Sultan Ghalib of
Mokalla has written that Sultan Saleh-bin-Abdulla has sold his share of Balahaf
to him. He only awaited my signature to confirmation of the deed of sale.
No reference was made to me about this. I have replied that I could not possibly
give my consent without reference to Government. I do not recommend it.
Letter follows. Since my telegram of the 18th January, reporting purchase of
share of Balahaf by Sultan Ghalib, Mohsin has shown me a letter, purporting
to be from Ghalib to Customs official, Balahaf, informing him of purchase and
of his intention to proceed to Balahaf, shortly, and ordering him to have accounts
of Customs due ready, Ghalib may have written this letter before receipt of
mine, refusing recognition of purchase pending the receipt of Government
orders. To-day Mohsin has shown me another letter from some of his principal
tribesmen, displaying alarm at rumoured purchase of Balahaf, and expressing
intention to commence hostilities. Mohsin's younger brother, Hussen, arrived
to-day and confirmed this. Mohsin wishes to go Balahaf to prevent hostilities.
I have refused permission pending instructions. Meanwhile I am sending
Ghalib and Saleh-bin-Abdulla by Elphinstone to-morrow morning, warning
them to refrain from any action likely to lead to disturbance, and also a letter
from Mohsin to his principal tribesmen, urging them not to commence hostilities.
Telegram, No. 787, dated the 1st February 1905.
I have just interviewed Mohsin. He asked that he may be allowed to leave