ملف رقم ٦٠٠ لسنة ١٩٠٥ الجزء ٥ "المنطقة الداخلية لعدن: معاهدة مع سلطان بلحاف" [و‎‎١‎٢‎٣] (١٥٢/٢٩)

piracy committed bn the sambook Fateh-ul Salant, Mohsin bin Saleh and Saleh
bin Abdulla were given to understand that Ahmed bin Saleh would be detained
as prisoner and the port of Balahaf would be closed pending restitution of the
looted property. After prolonged negotiations the plundered specie was restored,
hut in the meantime orders having been received from Government insisting
upon the personal submission of Mohsin, Ahmed Lin Saleh continues to be
detained as a hostage, and even the closure of the port was maintained up to
December last, which Mohsin regards as a violation of the original under
standing.
8. I have, however, hopes that Mohsin will come in, considering the
overtures we have made in trying to meet him in his own territory. Should
l)e not come in, I propose calling again at Balahaf on my way to or from
Mokalla, which it is my intention to visit in the early part of December. I am
disposed to make this further attempt to bring about an interview with Mohsin
in order that matters may be settled peacefully, as I am of opinion that the
nature of the country and the scarcity of water would render military operations
difficult.
Letter No. 201, dated the 11th December 1904.
p r0 ’ m —M ajor-Genera.!. H. M. Ma.son, Political Resident, Aden,
To—C» H. A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombay,
Political Department.
In continuation of my telegram of the 8th instant, I have the honour to
inform you that I had an interview (memorandum of which is attached
hereto! with Mohsin bin Saleh of Balahaf to-day.
2. There is no doubt that Mobsin is a man of very strong character : this
is at once apparent on speaking to him. I have also obtained information to
this effect in Aden fr >m merchants who trade with B ilahaf, and this has been
confirmed by Abdul Liab Salim, interpreter of this Residency, upon whom I
cm place rmleh relianee and who was in Balabaf and in the villages in its
neighbourhood for about three weeks.
3. I consider that Mohsin had reason to doubt our good faith, for it is
actually on record that Mohsin was informed that his brother Ahmed bin Saleh
would be detained until the $8,020, which Mohsin had taken from the dhow
which was wrecked neer Balahaf, ba paid. The money was paid, but Ahmed
was kept a pirsoner and the promise thus broken.
4. The statement of Mohsin that on receiving the letter from the Resident
at Izzan it was his intention to follow the messenger with the money to
Balahaf, hut that he could not travel as fast as he did, seems to be true.^ The
distance 5 from Izzan to Balahaf is 50 miles, and I understand that Mohsin was
o'iven only four days from date of letter by the Resident in which to come in.
5. I would bring to the notice of Government the complete submission of
Mohsin to me, and I think he is willing to agree to any terms Government
may make.
6. Saleh bin Abdulla went to Balahaf while Mohsin was there, the latter
having 200 to 300 followers, while Saleh had about 10 men with him, and they
were jeered at for accompanying him. He is evidently a mere puppet with no
power or position whatever.
7. Should Government not be disposed to accept Mohsin's explanation
regarding what has been called his “ refractory conduct,” that is, that he
distrusted the Aden officials and for that reason did not come in, then I would
propose that his brother Ahmed bin Saleh be elected Sultan.
Report of interview held at the Residency (Mice at iO-SO a.m. on Saturday, 10th December
1 1904, between Sultan Mohsin Saleh, the Wahidi, and Major-General H M. Mason,
Political Resident, Lieut.-Colonel J. Davies, First Assistant Resident, being also present.
Reason for not coming in sooner.
After the usual salutations Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh was asked by the
Resident why he had not come in for such a long time, although Govern nent
Id