§ LORD LAMINGTON rose to ask His Majesty's Government whether information could be given with regard to the position of affairs in the Aden Hinterland. The noble Lord said: Since I last asked a Question about the position of affairs in the Aden Hinterland, it is rather remarkable that an important fortress and port has been hemmed in, almost since the commencement of the war, by a small Turkish force, and is thereby cut off from access to the Aden Hinterland. Last December the noble Earl said that, so far as the Government were aware, the small Turkish force received no reinforcement of men, supplies of ammunition, or other war materials from Turkey. He also went on to say that it was hoped that in time the position there would be cleared up, and last week there was a telegram in the Press recording a small action which had taken place—a successful action on the part of our troops against the Turkish tropos. I would ask the noble Earl whether he would press on the military authorities the desirability that further efforts should be made to relieve the position, which is very humiliating to our prestige, and must be inconvenient to the people in the Aden Hinterland who are directly under our protection.
§ EARL CURZON OF KEDLESTONMy Lords, I do not think the situation has altered very materially since last I replied to a similar Question from the noble Lord, but I will give him the information with which I have been supplied by the War Office. The noble Lord will understand that the administration of Aden has passed to this country, and, being a theatre of military operations, the War Office is at the present time responsible.
This is the position. Immediately to the North of the British Protectorate the 615 Turks occupy positions in force to oppose any attempt to advance on our part. Beyond frequent minor encounters and reciprocal artillery activity there has been nothing special to report. Further North the Turks have scattered garrisons in various localities to control the natives and to maintain order. These garrisons are chiefly occupied in quelling disturbances, enforcing payment of taxes, and other duties of a similar nature. To the north again in Asir, is another Turkish force which is practically cut off from north and south, about which but little is heard. As regards the administration, there have been many reports that Turkish financial embarrassment is increasing, and that the treasury is very low. There have also been reports of friction between the Civil Governor of the Vilayet and the Turkish Commander-in-Chief. Regarding the tribes, those hitherto friendly have remained so, and there has been a tendency on the part of others to come over to our side. Regarding the two chief personages—namely, the Imam in Yemen and Idrisi in Asir—the attitude of the former is reported to be as friendly as is permitted by the Turkish occupation of Yemen Hinterland, and meanwhile he sometimes refuses to comply with orders sent him by the Turkish commanders. Idrisi has proved a loyal and active ally to us against the Turks, and during the last few months has operated with fluctuating success against them in the neighbourhood of Loheiya, succeeding in winning over fresh tribes to his cause.
The noble Lord asked me to announce to your Lordships, if I could, a more active military intervention on our part. If I were in a position to announce that His Majesty's Government contemplated anything of the sort, the last place in which I should announce it would be your Lordships' House. For this reason. Any intimation I may convey would go direct by telegraphic wire to Constantinople. At the present moment the only information, so far as we know, that the Turks obtain as to what is passing in the Hinterland of Aden is from the occasional Questions of the noble Lord and the replies I give in your Lordships' House. As I am certain that your Lordships do not desire me to assist the cause of the enemy, I am sure you will understand me if I refrain from replying to that part of the noble Lord's Question.