'An Account of the Arab Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden' [‎59v] (123/404)

106 ARAB TRIBES IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
the First Assistant Resident to ascertain the feelings of the
tribesmen, Mohsin bin Saleh was re-elected titular chief of
Balahdf, and a fresh treaty (No. 42, Appendix B) made to
which he was the sole signatory. .
Sultan Ndsir bin Sdleh of Habban made overtures assert
ing his independence and asking to be admitted to treaty
relations. He was not, however, encouraged in this aspiration.
The ex-Sultan Saleh bin ’Abdalla had a long-standing
dispute with Sult&n Mohsin bin Saleh
as to his share in the dues of the port
of Balahdf; and the quarrel on this subject increased. The
former requested the Resident to settle the dispute but he
refused to interfere. Sultdn Saleh bin ’Abdalla then proceeded
to instigate some of the tribesmen to close the port of Balahaf
and for a time succeeded in doing so ; Sultan Mohsin in spite
of his supposed greater influence and power, being apparently
unable to prevent him.
Captain Mosse, Assistant Resident, visited Balahaf in
January and handed over a copy of
the ratified Treaty of 1905 to Sultdn
Ahmed bin Saleh, brother of Sultdn Mohsin, the latter not being
present. Ahmed bin Saleh was informed at the same time of
the displeasure of Government at his action in interfering with
the cargo of a buggalow Large trading vessel. that had visited his port. It was
found that the port of Balahaf was still effectually blocked by
Saleh bin ’Abdalla’s retainers in a Dar on the road to the
Interior.
In February Sultan S 41 eh bin ’Abdalla visited Aden with
the sons of the Bn: ’All Sultan, bringing with them an
agreement for the sale to Bir ’Alf by Saleh bin ’Abdalla of a -|-
share in the port of Bdlahaf. The agreement also involved
the taking over by Bn* ’AH of a share in the administration
of Balahdf. They asked Government’s sanction to the agree
ment. The Resident declined to consider this at all until
Sultan Mohsin’s views on the subject should be ascertained.
The following month Sultan Mohsin came in to Aden.
He repudiated the proposed Bfr ’Alf agreement entirely. He
had an interview with the First Assistant Resident and the
Resident, in which he was given to understand that the
Resident was not at all satisfied with his apparent inability to
maintain tranquillity in his country or to come to an amicable
understanding with Saleh bin ’Abdalla.