ملف رقم ٣٣٠٠ لسنة ١٩١٦ الجزء ٢ "نشرات عدن: (يناير ١٩١٧ إلى ديسمبر ١٩١٧)" [و‎‎٢‎٥‎٨] (٦٢٠/٥١٥)

SECRET.
/U-S •
W!-
^A/9
T 4
7th Weey Letter.
Dated Aden Residency, the 17th (received the 26th) February 1917.
From—The Political Resident at Aden,
To—The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign and Political
Department.
We have received another letter from the Imam, a translation of which is
attached for your information. The letter is, I think, undoubtedly genuine.
Though it is couched in much the same terms as the former letter I think there, is
perhaps a little more indication of a possible rapprochement. I am addressing
the Imam again, through a new channel, if possible, and hope to be able to effect
some sort of settlement with him.
The same messenger brought in letters from Sharif Abdulla bin Muhammad
Ad-Domain, one of the principal supporters of the Imam. His letters show that
he is himself distinctly ready to assist us if we provide the ways and means, and
further that he is prepared to use his influence with the Imam towards bringing
about a settlement with us.
Reports have been received which show further fighting is in progress m the
ne/ghbourhood of Baadan in which both the Turks and Arabs have suffered con
siderable losses.
Saeed Pasha is still endeavouring to interfere with the Abyan Kafila. The
Kafila which came in on the 12th was waylaid on its return and some 50 camels
and 40 men carried off to Lahej. Later news would tend to show that a
effort is going to be made to interrupt this route. For the present sufficient is
coming in for local requirements.
Our friend, Muhammad Derwish, is still here and there seems Uttle likelihood
of his setting away iust yet. Letters received by him tend to show that the Imam
is in possession of the greater part of the territory immediately north of our frontier
and that Turkish influence is waning. Considerable fighting appears to have been
going on. Muhammad Derwish’s brothers say they are daily raiding Kataba and
have cut the telegraph wire.
An Abdali agent arrived here from Lahej on the 14th mstantaiKlrepcuts that
considerable despondency exists there over the events in tte Yemem He dd
that news from the Heiaz does not now come through. The lurks, he says, na
no money beyond what they can get by encourag.ng ca^vans t^ss thro gt
Tho whnlp nf the nroduce of the Yemen such as cottee, skins ana guee,
wldch comes 7n °by 'the landroute, has now been successfully d verted through
Lahej and taxes are levied at fixed rates per camel according to the commodities
carried.
As already reported to you by our wire « f ^ J.^ajy m" ! ' T 7
that the proclamation accompanying despatch o. , T mam The ^Arabic
from the High Commissioner , E g^’buJ apTars to & al wouffi be
IS -S3- -±Z
The money situation still remains tight and must remain so until mo 'p
ping is available.
A. B. -Aden weekly letter No. 5, .dated** 3rd February 1917 : no news to record