File 3498/1912 ‘Aden News Letters’ [‎87r] (184/598)

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8th Weekly Letter.
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 20th February 1915.
From—Tiie 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 Aden,
To—L. Robertson, Esq., Secretary to the Glovernment of Bombay.
Please see my last week’s letter. Further details of the fighting in Beda,
received during this week, show that the Turks attacked the outlying villages of
Beda, killing several people. The people immediately raised a force of 1,000 strong,
but the Turks on coming to know of it fled. The Beda people pursued them, killing
ten, and wounding many. They also captured three camels laden with foodstuffs,
some shells and tents. They expect the Turks to return again, and the headman of
Beda asks for ammunition, and says that the Beda people will defend their country
to the last. I have sent Beda ammunition.
2 . One of the four Sheikhs of Nawa, Ahmed Hasan, has come to Aden, and reports
that one of his peers has submitted to the Turks, and has received a Turkish flag.
He himself refused to comply with the Turkish summons. The Rubeaten Akils are
also said to have been offered two Turkish flags, and to have accepted them, as they
are powerless to resist the Turks.
3. Sheikh Mahomed bin Mohsin Askar Ali from Upper Yafa writes that AlTairi,
a Turkish Sheikh, has sent letters to all the Akils in Upper Yafa, including himself,
inviting them to Juban to discuss matters relating to the Jehad ; that some irres
ponsible persons have gone to him, but that he (Sheikh Mahomed) replied A1 Tairi to
the effect that he was a friend of the British Government, and that one man could not
serve two masters at one and the same time.
4. Further reports have been received, confirming the ascent by the Turks of
Jabel Jihaf, and other points within the domains of the Amir of Dala. Amir Nasir is
still at Sanah, and in a letter, dated the 13th instant, writes to me that he allowed
the Turks to enter his country, in order that they might assist him in keeping order,
and maintaining security on the roads. In other words, he is trafficking with the
enemy.
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 20th February (received the 2nd March) 1915.
Endorsed by 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.
Copy forwarded, with compliments, to the Deputy Secretary to the Government
of India in the Foreign and Political Department, Delhi.