مجموعة ٢٨/١ "محمية عدن: لحج؛ المؤامرة على سلطان لحج ومسألة الاعتراف بابنه الأكبر كخليفة له" [و‎‎٢‎٧] (٧٤/٥٣)

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Sultanate of Lahej has assumed an importance unknown before
\ Oreat 1 ar, prinoipally due to the personality of the
teent Sultan and to his advisers -ind aealstants from his
i branch of the family. ^nd the very close contact that
\ been established between His Highness and the Residency
in the consideration of all major matters of general
importance in the irotectorate reader continuity of
succession {and consequently of policy), at Inhej, very
desirable.
11. In view, however, of the uncertainty that must,
in the nature of rab tribal polity, still exist as to the
actual accession of an heir-apparent on the death of a
ruling Chief, 1 consider that official recognition of a
pre-eleoted successor would seldom be effective, and ought
not to be accorded.
la. ~M2e, therefore, I tut sympathetic towards the
efforts of the :ultan of Lahej to protect the admirable
results of his organisation and industry in Lahej from
disintegration at the hands of a less able, and possibly
iiOstile, successor who might be elected from another brruich
of the family, after his death, 1 do not recommend any
departure, on our part, from the existing procedure in
regard to succession.
13. 1 propose, therefore, subject to your approval,
to limit myself to informing His Highness that the election
has been noted, but that formal recognition of his
successor must be deferred until the latt r f e actual
accession to the .>ult mate; and I intend to avoid the use
of iny expression th t would im ly a ,;iu rantee by His
Majesty’s Government of the arr&ngsm*mt that has been made.
I have, Akj .,
(signed) 3.R.Reilly
Resident, etc.