File 600/1905 Pt 4 'Aden Hinterland: Proposed Treaties with the Sultans of Beda and Audali; Treaty with Beda held in abeyance' [‎226r] (83/158)

6 So fnr as the wishes of the Secretary of State are known the policy t to
* Secretary of State’s telegram dated 14th be followed is llOt to do anything which
(»)Secret August 1904 , May iws Secretary of mav lead to an administration of the
iTrilrt April wo;, si^lry territory, but to recognise to the full the
No. 42 . dated 8th December 1905 . independence of the tribes subject to
their friendly attitude towards the British and abstinence from intrigue with
other powers, and to maintain a constant respect to the susceptibilities of our
Turkish neighbours. There is thus every reason for avoiding any overt action
in the Hinterland which may lead to enhancing the necessity for inter
vention in the affairs of the tribes, and the conclusion was reached that the
improvement of our relations with a knowledge of the tribes would be best
served by the methods of work already laid down by this Government for
Major Jacob and recently approved by
Wn ( <? 108 If s^rso&T^, the Government of India a*l His
Nos. 274 - 279 . ^ Majesty’s Secretary of State. Tor any*
Despatch No. 35, dated Uth November 1905. thing in the shape of definite treaty
relations with the tribes it is at once more dignified and satisfactory that the
Besident should await solicitation by the tribes for the conclusion of such
engagements.
No. 24-33, dated Bombay Castle, the 28th March 1906.
From—The Hon’blr Sib Steyning W. Edgerley, KC.V.O., C.I.E., Chief Secre
tary 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,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
With reference to the correspondence ending with Foreign Department
telegram No. 811-F. B., dated the 20th February 1906, relative to a Treaty
with Beda, I am directed to forward herewith copy of a letter from the Political
Resident, Aden, No. 1484, dated 11th March 1906, and of its enclosures.
2. In transmitting these papers I am to state that Government approve of
the suggestion contained in paragraph 5 of the Resident’s letter, and to observe
that an ^express clause guaranteeing safety of British parties which may have
occasion to visit Beda territory, does not find a place in the Dthala Ireaty.
No. 1484, 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 Hth March 1906.
From—M ajor-General H. M. Mason, 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. , Aden,
'Po The 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.
With reference to correspondence ending with copy of telegram from the
Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, No. 811-E. B.,
dated the 20th February 1906, forwarded to me with your No. 1528, dated the
23rd February 1906, concerning Beda affairs, I have the honour to forward
herewith copies of letters which have this week been received from Sultan All
bin Ahmed, the Rasasi, and Sheikh Abdurrab bin Saleh Am Musa, the Namai-
kani Sheikh. I also forward copies of a letter received from the Fadthli Sultan
and of a letter written to him by Sultan Ali bin Ahmed, the Rasasi.
And I also enclose copy of a letter addressed by Sultan Ali bin Ahmed,
the Rasasi to Haji Abdulla Am Uragee, the Aden merchant referred to in tnis
* Pro. No. 202 ia Secret e., August 19 : 5 , Nos. office confidential letter N o. 27bJ, dated
202 207 . 13th May 1905, of which a copy was
forwarded to you with this office No. 2790 of the same date.
2. From the above it appears that Sultan Ali bin Ahmed, the Rasasi, desires
that negotiations should now be continued through Sheikh Ahmed Husen )m
Ahmed Am Bubakr, the Azzani Sheikh, between whom and his former rival
Sheikh Abdulrab bin Saleh Am Musa, the Hamakani, some misunderstanding
would now appear to have been arrived at.
3. To these letters suitable replies will he sent and it may he hoped that
the present negotiations may terminate in the conclusion of the treaty m a few
months’ time. I am of opinion that for the present no further action nec o
taken beyond continuing this correspondence in the hope that it may terminate
in some more tangible result than has hitherto been achieved.
4. Meanwhile, I have the honour to enclose for the approval of Govern
ment, which I have the honour to request may be communicated at the earliest
possible date, the English version of a treaty, which has been drafted to meet the