File 3300/1916 Pt 3 'Aden News-Letters: 1919-20' [‎385r] (125/633)

YiSML'lfl
There seems to be no doubt that the Idrisi has
every intention of advanoing on iiabeed shortly*
Sayed kustafa says that the Idrisi cannot refuse to
answer the call he has received from his fellow Sunnis.
Major Barrett visited Jizan on 26th August and
saw Sayed Mustafa, who ave him a cordial reception.
Unfortunately very heavy r^tin on the previous day # which
had fl oded the country and rendered it impassable pre
vented the Idrisi from returning from babiza where he
had gone for the Id f stival in time to meet Major
Barrett as he had intended.
I iiayed Mustafa said that 3 representatives of Bin Baud
were in Babiza at that time, and that he was anxious to
discover their intentions before he left Asir on a visit
to Kgypt as he had intended.
f Bayed Mustafa expressed himself as much satisfied with
Bin Baud*8 intervention in Asir affairs, but it ap ears
that the Idrisi, while consulting Bayed Mustafa freely
in all questions concerning relations with the Imam and
leaving the execution of decisions very largely in his
own hands, had Kept Central ^rabian affairs entirely in
his own hands.
The Bode id ah merchants have presented another
| petition asking that in the event of the British withdrawal
I from Hodeictah, the Turks may be allowed to return to
the Yemen. Failing the Turks they desire any civilized
Government preferably headed by a cadet of the Egyptian
ruling house, but in no way subservient to Mgypt. They
do not desire a locally elected Chief, nor do they want
the Idrisi or the Imam, but in case of absolute necessity
would prefer the Idrisi.