Papers on British policy and the Arab movement [‎166r] (335/380)

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[This Document is the Property -of His Britannic Majesty s Government.]
SECRET.
Political Intelligence Department,
Foreign Office.
Special 6.
MEMORANDUM
ON
BRITISH COMMITMENTS TO THE SHEIKH OF MAYIA.
SHEIKH BIN NASIR MUKBIL of Mavia is the most important local ruler on
the Turkish si<le of the Aden-Yemen border, as laid down in the Anglo-TurKish
Convention of the 9th March, 1914. “ His jurisdiction extends from Kataba (on the
plateau) down to Sheikh Said, and he can control Ahmed Noman in that neutral zone.
The neutral zone referred to is of course the Yellow Area of the 1914 Convention,
which is of vital strategical importance in connection with the control of the Red Sea,
and which Turkey pledged herself not to alienate.
Mavia was thus recognised by us as falling within the sphere of Turkish
sovereignty, and he held his chieftainship, with a stipend, as a 1 urkish kaimakam
(21661/15). . . . , . j , i , i
His Majesty’s Government's negotiations with Mavia were started at abater stage
than those with" the Idrisi, at a date when Turkey had already intervened in the war,
and when the Imam’s intention of adopting a neutrality unfriendly to Great Britain
had become more or less apparent. Mavia took the initiative by writing a letter to
His Majesty’s Resident at Aden, which was reported bv the latter in a telegram of
the 17th December, 1914 (84480/14):—
“ Powerful Sheikh Ibn Nasir Mukbil, hereinafter to be styled Mavia, writes
praising our goodwill to Arabs and desire of pact between himself and Abdah
Sultan, provided that we guarantee his independence thereafter. I have just
received deputation of Mavia’s agent and the influential Haj Ah Nasir al
Kamarani .... Mavia and Abdali Sultan wish to make an offensive and defensive
alliance, which would gain support of all our protected chiefs, l! backed by us,
and his independence under us guaranteed, Mavia will break away from lurks
at once.’’
This was commented upon as follows by the Government of India in a telegram of
the 20th December, 1914, to the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. (87030/14) :
“ The proposed alliance between Mavia and Abdali, although it is not usual
in the case of protected chiefs, should, we consider, be countenanced in the special
circumstances, and the independence of Mavia, under the protection of
Britain, at the close of the war should be guaranteed by Government. _ It should
be made clear, however, that at present we have no intention of giving these
chiefs support in offensive operations, but will merely help them to protect and
pacifv their territories by granting them arms, ammunition, and money, and
unless Sheikh Said is used for the purpose of making an attack on Perim, we shall
take no further action against it.”
On the 28th December, 1914, the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. telegraphed in regard to this to the
Government of India (1395/15) :—
“ Your proposals are approved I understand from Resident s telegram
that Mavia may be expected to get the Turks out of feheikh Said.
On the 2nd February, 1915, however, the Turks invaded the Aden l rotectoiate,
and the effect of this development upon our negotiations with Mavia was discussed by
the Resident in a telegram dated the 8th February, 1915 (15601/15) :
“ Turks and Imam’s troops crossed the frontier and were encamped within
7 miles Dala 2nd February. Amir Nasir is with lurks. He has been deposed by
his people, who are prepared to resist invasion, but urgently press for assistance of
arms and ammunition and presence of our troops. I can supply arms an
ammunition.
* Telegram of the 17th December 1914, from the Resident at Aden, in 84480/14.