49. In time political action might make some of these states into local government units, but it would be unreal to think they can ever become one territory. Political action has succeeded in some grouping but it is doubtful if there can be less than five groups in the West and two-three in the East. The power of the rulers varies very greatly, not so much because of their personal characters but because the concept of chieftainship varies.
50. Aden Colony consists of den Peninsula, little Aden Peninsular. some of the Arabian' mainland with Sheikh Othman village and thrce other hamlets, Perim Island and the Kuria Muria Islands. Kamaran Island, administered by Aden, is not part of the Colony or the Protectorate: it belongs to the allied and associated powers of World War I.
51. If loyalty to a territory is regarded as being an essential ingredient to a measure of genuine self government, a not incon- siderable number of Adenese with this attribute may be found, but only very few regard Aden with the undetachable affection that we have for English soil. Few places have more conflicting loyalties.
Out of 80,000 inhabitants, 59,000 are Arabs, some of whom have local loyalty and all of whom have loyalty to Islam, though divided by sectarian differences. Real loyalty to the Imam of the Yemen or to Protectorate rulers is rare, though many have loyalties to parts of the Yemen or parts of the Protectorate and to tribes. Very few have British loyalty comparable to that of an Englishman. The 7,000 odd Jews have a community loyalty and one to Israel. The 4,000 Somalis have a tribal loyalty located in Somaliland. The 9,000 Indians have loyalties to India, Pakistan, Great Britain, and their various religious sects.
52. There is no overall loyalty to Great Britain or to Aden which might link the people together. There is, however, a strong appreciation of the law and order which Britain keeps and the British way of liberty, for these enable a man to make money.
This is
53. The fortress factor of Aden has to be considered. an important British interest but it is also welcomed by the people of Aden and probably of the Protectorate.
The Future
but
54. In view of this background, the size of the Colony, and the fortress aspect, home rule to the degree contemplated in Zanzibar or Mauritius is not a reasonable proposition for Aden. Self government should go no further than the municipal level, this can be made very real. There should be lcgislative as well as municipal functions, but the Governor should have final control over subjects with a defence or security aspect.
55. Ingress and egress to and from Aden should be as free as possible. Aden lives best that way and in any case control is very difficult.
56. Although it is doubtful if there can be more political link between the Colony and Protectorate, development is possible in the cultural field. Aden as the only piece of British soil on the mainland of Arabia has enormous possibilities as a centre of Anglo-Arab culture and its influence could spread over a very wide arca beyond the Colony and the Protectorate. It should be remembered that the Arabs are not successful as a nation, nor as separate nations, politically: but they are a nation culturally.
57. The ultimate objective envisaged is therefore:
(a) A High Commissioner (rather than a Governor) at Aden and
Minister to the Yemen, responsiblc fur
(i) the fortress and security aspt of Aden
(ii) the control and developm
centre at Aden
n Anglo-Arab culture
/(iii)
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