File 600/1905 Pt 4 'Aden Hinterland: Proposed Treaties with the Sultans of Beda and Audali; Treaty with Beda held in abeyance' [‎243v] (118/158)

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longer delayed. I haye some reason to hope that Sultan Ali bin Ahmed may
send a deputation to Aden shortly after the end of Unmazanto conclude the -
treaty, but I would suggest for the consideration of Government that it these
expectations are not fultilled and if the Beda Treaty is not concluded before
the end of the calendar year, it would be advisable to despatch a Political
Officer to the Baniardth with a view to as far as possible expediting the con
clusion of the treaty and more fully ascertaining the true position of affairs in
that vicinity.
3 I would propose that this officer should be accompanied by sufficiently
strong escort to hold his own against any opposition which might be shown to
him on the road, and that the party should either when returning from or
proceeding to Beda traverse the Dathina district m which Mr. Bury s party
met with opposition in 1904 and bring about the submission or the subjection
of the Hasani and Saeedee tribes which then offended and are still punished by
exclusion from Aden.
4 I would at the same time recommend for the consideration of Govern
ment that the Political Officer deputed should be instructed to negotiate for a
treaty with the Audali Sultan and to report upon the true status and condition
of the Chiefs of the Basani and Saeedee which are the other important tribes
of the Dathina district. Should time and opportunity allow of it the party
might also visit the important town of Habban in the Wahidi country.
5. According to my information the Audali Sultan is a ruler of consider
able importance and occupies a central and a commanding position on the
trade routes passing through the Dathina country on which he levies transit
dues Bie has a considerable following and, situated as he is between States
such as Behan, Aulaki, and Padthli with which we already have treaty rela
tions and to none of which he really owes dependence, 1 think it desirable that
he as well as the Basasi Chief of the Baniardth should now he formally
included within the number of our protected stipendiaries.
6. I have reason to believe that this Sultan would probably accept an
invitation to Aden without his country being visited, hut I consider it prefer
able that his territory should first be visited, and if Government are prepared
to undergo the attendant expense I would recommend that the httie known
districts under reference should now be formally visited by a properly
equipped expedition.
7. Presuming that it is not immediately desired or desirable to demarcate
the north-east boundary lines running from Lakmat Ash Shub to the desert,
it would at least seem as well to be to some extent prepared for contingencies
which the final Turkish reconquest of Yemen may be not unreasonably
expected to possibly give rise to.
8. If Gov ernment propose that the expedition should he on a small scale
and for the present to forego the opportunity of effecting the subjection of the
Dathina tribes, then 1 consider that such an expedition is also feasible, though
it doubtless would be accompanied with some risk to the officer deputed.
9. It is of course to be considered that a small expedition of this nature
would* be less liable to arouse Turkish suspicions and possible protests from
Constantinople, and according to my present information there is fair reason
to hope that a small party would not meet with serious opposition.
10. I do not think that I should find any difficulty in finding an officer
in Aden willing to proceed on that expedition, and to take the risk of pro
ceeding with a comparatively small escort of the Aden troop, or of a ew
specially enrolled Native followers.
Telegram, dated the 80th January 1906.
From—The Chief 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,
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. , Aden.
Home authorities against political expedition to Beda without their sanc
tion. Letter follows. Meantime prepare strongest case you can for visitm H
Beda in preference to waiting for Beda to visit Aden.