File 600/1905 Pt 4 'Aden Hinterland: Proposed Treaties with the Sultans of Beda and Audali; Treaty with Beda held in abeyance' [‎200v] (32/158)

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Our supineness in the matter of Railway construction threatens to divert the
(Yemen) trade brought to Aden by the Western kafilah A train of travellers; a caravan; or any large party of travellers. route to Hodeida and
Mokha ; and it is the more necessary, therefore, for us to do what we can to safe
guard the Eastern route, to which the Beda and Audali tribes are substantial con
tributors.
6. I would submit, for serious consideration, two more factors of great im
portance, in making these Treaties desiderata. First, the increasing and mischiev
ous activity of Imam : who, having patched up a settlement with the Turks, is now
consolidating his power on all sides, and (from reports received) is even making
advances to the tribes in our Protectorate, and in Treaty with us. Diplomatic
pressure cannot be brought to bear on the Imam to abstain from intrigue; conse
quently it behoves us to strengthen our weak spots without delay. Second, with
the exception of the Dthambari, the Beda and Audali are the only tribes in the
vicinity of Aden not in treaty relations with us; while, at the same time, they are
surrounded by other tribes who are. This differential policy cannot but be injuri
ous to our best interests in this Prot^torate, while the inclusion of these tribes
within the Treaty-ring so far from being prejudicial to, will be in harmony with,
the prescribed policy of His Majesty’s Government.
lam, therefore, still strongly of opinion that these Treaties are a consumma
tion devoutly to be wished; and earnestly request that, subject to such modifi
cations as Government may think necessary or desirable, sanction may be accord
ed to them, and communicated to me, as soon as may be possible.
7. The attached drafts are almost entirely based on the drafts submitted with
my letter^No. 1484, dated the 11th March 1906, and are similar to the Treaty made
with the Amir of Dthala in 1904. The last clause of Article V (re protection of
J 011 British parties) was added at the express
N °- 8 desire of the Government of India,* who
subsequently authorised its omission if its
retention led to difficulty : but no such difficulty is now to be apprehended. But,
should difficulty arise, this clause, also that regarding the authoritative version,
will be omitted.
8 . As regards stipend, the Government of India (telegram referred to in previ
ous paragraph) stated their willingness to sanction up to Rs.150 for Beda. But
as there is now only one Chief where there were two in 1906 I think a stipend of
$ 100 (one hundred dollars) per mensem should suffice. For Audali I recommend
a stipend of $ 480 (four hundred and eighty dollars) per annum (=$ 40per men
sem).
Both stipends to be paid at the rate of Rs. 2 per dollar. _
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PROTECTORATE TREATY WITH THE AUDALI SULTAN.
The British Government and Sultan Kasim Bin Ahmed, the Audali, being
desirous of entering into relations of peace and friendship,
The British Government have named and appointed Political
Resident at Aden, to conclude a treaty for this purpose.
The said and Sultan Kasim Bin Ahmed, the Audali, aforesaid
have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles ;
I.
There shall be peace and friendship between the British Government and all
the tribesmen, subjects and dependents, of the Audali Sultan. The subjects of
the British and the tribesmen of the Audali and its dependencies shall be free
to enter the territories of the other; they shall not be molested, but
shall be treated with respect at all times and in all places. The said Sultan and
other notable persons shall visit Aden when they please. They shall be treated
with respect and be given passes to carry arms.
feT' IL
In compliance with the wish of the aforesaid Sultan Kasim Bin Ahmed, the
Audali, the British Government hereby undertakes to extend to the territory of