ملف رقم ٣٣٠٠ لسنة ١٩١٦ الجزء ٢ "نشرات عدن: (يناير ١٩١٧ إلى ديسمبر ١٩١٧)" [و‎‎٩‎٩] (٦٢٠/١٩٧)

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33rd Weekly Letter.
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Dated Aden Residency, the 8th December 1917.
From— Major-General J. M. Stewart, C.B., Political Resident at Aden,
To—His Excellency General Sir Reginald Wingate, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C M G »
D.S.O., His Britannic Majesty’s High Commissioner, Cairo.
Sayed Tdrisi is elated over our successes in Palestine and conveyed his congra
tulations through Sayed Mustapha a few days ago. The latter informed us that
our communiques issued on the subject had been given the widest publicity in the
Idnsi country and were also being circulated broadcast throughout Turkish -
districts. He was of opinion that they would have far-reaching effects in the
Yemen generally. N I
It was inferred from two interviews with Sayed Mustapha since his arrival
here that the Idrisi is very grateful for the financial assistance and supplies given to
him by the British Government. Mustapha assures us that preparations are
proceeding actively for the coming offensive against Lohiya, and with this object
in view troops are being concentrated in various centres in the Masariha and
Bani Marwan districts.
Two thousand Hashid and Bakil warriors are reported to have arrived at
Jizan already and a similar number is expected shortly. The plan of operations
against the south is being drawn up by Nasir Mabkhut Al-Ahmar who is still at-
Jizan.
The Sayed Idrisi has transferred his headquarters to Madaya, a place mid-way
between Jizan and Meedi, where he is personally supervising the arrangements for
the coming campaign.
Sayed Mustapha seems very optimistic about the projected operations. It is
generally believed in the Idrisi Camp that there will be no great difficulty in
capturing Lohiya and turning the Turkish flank, thereafter by an advance on
Zaidyia.
The defection of Sayed Ahmed Pasha of the Bani Jama tribe from the Turkish
cause is said to have been definitely secured and it is not unlikely in the event of
Lohiya falling that Ibn El Haig and the Wayidat clansmen will come over to
the Idrisi. The Bo'ajia and Za’alyia Arabs inhabiting the country to the south of
Lohiya are fvfyndly to Sayed Idrisi.
Sayed Mustapha furnished details of four engagements which took place
between October 25th and November 27th last between the two forces opposed to
each other on the Bani Abs front, from which it would appear that the Idrisi troops
are not inactive and are inflicting severe losses on Colonel Ghalib Bey’s and Ibn
Thawwab’s forces.
Last week ^ well known Jewish merchant Yussuf Fanhaus arrived in Aden
from Sana via Jiiavia and Lahej. He reports the existence of abundant crops in
the Yemen Highlands, where the price of grain fresh supplies and local produce is
the lowest on record during the past quarter of a century. Nevertheless the where
withal to purchase food and other necessaries is not easily obtainable. On the
other hand, commodities imported from abroad whilst available are extremely
expensive owing to the prohibitive transport rates and the heavy tolls levied during
transit.
This merchant paints a dismal picture of the political and economic situation
obtaining at the capital in so far as the Turkish administration is concerned—an
empty treasury with no prospect of raising funds—the refusal of the Zaidi popula
tion there and in the surrounding districts nominally under Ottoman sway, to pay
taxes—and discord between the civil and Military officials of the vilayet.
A five-pound Turkish note can barely fetch 9 or 10 dollars (Rs. 18 tp Rs. 20^
in the markets of the bigger citjes in the Yemen.