File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎303r] (614/834)

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It is reported finally by Captain Clayton that all the sheikhs
of the Beni Abs, and Waazat and most of those of the Zaalia,
Beni Suleil, and Jebel Melhan district have recently offered
their submission to him.
The Imam of Yemen.
The Imam’s doings, by force of circumstance, are less clear.
It is believed on good authority that he has been conspiring with
some of the Turkish officials, notably Mahmud Nedim, Turkish
Governor of the Yemen, and to some extent Tewfik Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ,
the Commander-in-Chief, to form an independent Arab Kingdom.
Mahmud Kedrin has been in the Yemen for twenty years.
Tewfik Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is a Syrian from Aleppo. Of the staff officers,
several come from Syria and Baghdad, among the latter being
Sayid Taha Bey, Chief of the General Staff, a brother of Yasin
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Arab Military Governor of Damascus.
It has been suggested that Yasin Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. should write to him
inviting him and others of the officers to visit Damascus, since
it appears that British policy is regarded in the Yemen at
present as incompatible with Arab interests. The Aden
authorities, while agreeing to the suggestion in principle, are of
the opinion that such an invitation should be deferred at least
till after all the Turkish garrisons who intend to surrender have
done so, and till the intention^ of the Imam have been more
clearly defined.
On January 12 four envoys from him reached Aden via
Hodeida. It soon became clear, however, that their object
was to promote dissension rather than agreement. They went
privately to the French consul and presented him with a petition
from the Imam to M. Poincare. In it the Imam protested
against the British occupation of Hodeida, and asked to be sum
moned to the Peace Congress. The French consul passed on
the letter to General Stewart. There was good reason to think
that the envoys were trying also to send messages through
Jibuti and elsewhere. General Stewart, on finding that they
were abusing their privileges, sent them back to Hodeida without
granting them an interview, at the same time pointing out to
the Imam his reasons for doing so. The whole incident is, in
Colonel Jacob’s opinion, most unfortunate, as the Imam is in a
difficult mood, and it will, he thinks, make a rapprochment with
him impossible for the present. It has, however, been pointed
out that, when once such an incident has happened, a certain
asperity becomes necessary. And it must not be forgotten that
the Imam has throughout helped the Turks, and is fortunate in
being regarded as nothing worse than a neutral. Finally, whatever
his present feelings, he will doubtless be amenable ultimately to
any one who is in a position to subsidise him.