File 3498/1912 ‘Aden News Letters’ [‎32v] (75/598)

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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. ,
17th January 1916.
Subject—
The FADLI SULTAN.
Resident,
I left Aden on the 14th instant, in H. M. S. “ Northbrook ” with letter for the
Fadli Sultan. On arrival at Shaikh Abdullah in the Abyan, where he was believed
to be, it was impossible to communicate with the shore, owing to the rough sea ;
it was evident, however, that the Sultan was not at Shaikh Abdullah, and it was
decided to sail to Shukra early next morning.
We were there met by a messenger sent by Abdul Kadir, the Fadli’s grandson,
who said the Sultan was at A1 Khamila in Abyan, about eight miles north-west of
Shaikh Abdullah. The interpreter, Ali Ibrahim, then went ashore to interview
Abdul Kadir, and returned at 2-30, with the following news :—The Sultan left
Shukra on the 11th for Abyan, intending to make terms with the Turks, but
ostensibly to punish some marauders who were looting his crops. He there heard
of the engagement of the 12th between the British and Turkish forces near Lahej,
and he sent men out to see which side was victorious, before committing himself
further.
He had not, as far as was'known then, actually gone to Lahej, so I sent him a
brief letter to say the “ Northbrook ” would be off Shaikh Abdullah next day,
and asked him to send a reply to the Resident’s letter there, as early as possible.
At 6 p.m. another messenger came on board, briniging the accompanying letter
from the Fadli himself to say he was going to meet the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , and the messenger,
who brought the Sultan’s letter, said that immediately after signing and
despatching the letter he had started for Lahej, i.e., on the morning of the 15th.
Early on the 16th the “ Northbrook ” left for Aden, but we waited off Shaikh
Abdullah for some time in the hope of being able to gain some information there.
Owing to the weather, however, we could not land there, and there were no fishing
boats in the neighbourhood by which communicatioa with the shore could be
made.
Everything seemed quiet there, and at Shukra where Abdul Kadir is, as is
usual during his grandfather’s absence, in charge. He expressed his loyalty to
Government, and his readiness to obey any instructions the Resident might send
him.
R. F. WAUHOPE, Lieutenant-Colonel,
Political and Military Intelligence Officer.
G. M. Press, Simla.—No. C614 F.D.—l 1-2-16—16.—B.A.