Page 96 - Arabian Studies (II)

86 Arabian Studies II

British Government could not permit themselves to recognize the
IdrTsT’s title to SalTf the Aden Resident could not assist the
Syndicate in their negotiations with the IdrTsT.4 3 However, on the
16th January, 1923 the Foreign Office stated it had nothing against
the Syndicate supplying the cartridge making machine. But before
the deal between the IdrTsT and the Syndicate was completed the
British Government had refused to permit it on the grounds that it
was not ‘an opportune moment’, but added that it would recom­
mend the IdrTsT to grant the concession as soon as the political
situation permitted.44 A native company then attempted to obtain
the Sallf concession: this led the Colonial Office to instruct Aden to
give the Syndicate as much support as possible in new negotiations
with the IdrTsT.4 5
The only concession in IdrTsT territory which was negotiated and
effectively worked in the early years after the World War was that for
the supply of kerosene to Hodeidah: this was sold to Hasan ‘AIT, a
leading Aden merchant, in 1923 or 1924. When the imam seized
Hodeidah in 1925 this concession was allowed to run its course:
upon its expiry the Imam granted it to an Italian company.4 6
In August 1924 Sayyid Mustafa in Hodeidah called Holmes from
Baghdad and offered him the SalTf salt concession in return for
military supplies. Holmes arrived in the Red Sea port at the
beginning of Sayyid Mustafa’s revolt against Sayyid ‘AIT but as he
failed to come to terms with Sayyid Mustafa he left Hodeidah for
JTzan where he met Sayyid ‘AIT. Holmes concluded that Sayyid ‘AIT
had offered him not only the SalTf but also the Farasan concession to
be operative at the end of the civil war. Holmes undertook not to
assist Sayyid Mustafa and to attempt to have Fazl-ud Din, who was
deeply involved in local intrigue, removed from Hodeidah.
Holmes returned to JTzan in February 1925 to complete the
negotiations for the SalTf and Farasan concessions, but found that
two other companies were also interested: Hasan ‘AIT and
Makamri.4
_vri . a * ^owever> the following month Imamic forces were
■ 6a ?uCntr^r ^P^eidah and Sayyid ‘AIT was reported to have
fe. . e Farasan concession to the Italians in return for
for cash^11 reSerVing onIy the §aIIf concession for Holmes in return
Since 1924, Sayyid ‘AIT, being short of money had entertained the
idea of selling the concession to the highest bidder: 5 0 there was a
real danger to British interests for at that time the Italians were
making a renewed bid for both concessions as well as for the opening
of a consulate in Hodeidah.51 Britain was prepared to allow the
Eastern and General Syndicate to ship arms to the IdrTsT since, in
March 1923, the IdrTsT had agreed to be bound by the terms of the