'An Account of the Arab Tribes in the Vicinity of Aden' [‎73v] (151/404)

I 34
ARAB TRIBES IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
quarrel, and reported that the Nakib while admitting he had
recovered 80,000 dollars held himself not bound by the eh t d
of 1873, as he considered himself entitled to that sum for
having spared the Jemadar s life when in his power. The
Resident offered three draft agreements for the acceptance of
the Naldb-Z, Y, and X, of which the Nakfb stated he would
accept X if obliged to accept any. Agreement X was one
which proposed the cancelment of the agreement of 1873 and
the repayment of 80,000 dollars and 1,60,000 dollars undt 1
certain guarantees. Agreement Y proposed to cancel the
bond of 1873, to repay 80,000 dollars, and cede Durum to the
Kaitf. Agreement Z proposed to admit the validity of the
bond of 1873, and to make the Kaitf half owner of Mokalla
and Durum on payment of 1,60,000 dollars to the Nakfb. In
the Resident’s opinion, two courses were possible—either to
force the Nakfb to fulfil the agreement of 1873, or to annul
the agreement on the ground of coercion, and cause the Nakfb
to repay 2,40,000 dollars ; but he pointed out that the Nakfb
objected to the first and the Jemddar to the second. In
conclusion, the Resident suggested that on expiry of the truce
Government should permit a renewal of hostilities by land, and
whoever won should be acknowledged as victor.
In June 1880 the acting Resident reported that, the truce
having expired, the Nakfb had inquired whether Government
w’ould take any further action in the dispute, and solicited
further instructions for the Resident’s future guidance.
Meanwhile the Nakfb continued to report that the Jemddar
was making preparations for an attack, and the Kaitf intimated
that he had closed the roads in the interior, but would report
when he was actually marching against Mokalla.
At length, in Government Resolution No. 5502, dated 13th
November 1880, the Government of India, after reviewing the
Resident’s exhaustive letter of 3rd June 1879, laid down—
(1) that draft agreement X was a fair and reasonable
compromise which both chiefs should be persuaded to
accept without reserve;
(2) that the Resident should decide the date from which
interest should be payable under clause 2, and that
Government would not object to interest being charged
also under clause 3 of the draft agreement;
(3) failing a satisfactory understanding, Government would
intervene no further, but leave the chiefs to settle their