Aden.

Manawatu Herald, 12 March 1903, Page 2

Aden.

Some time ago British and Turkish Commissioners were engaged in delimiting the boundary between the tribes under British protection in Arabia, and the Turkish province of Yemen Our cables tell us that Great Britain has made fresh complaints to the Porta regarding the

non-ovacuation of the Aden hinterland, and the obstructive tactics of the Turkish soldiers. The Turk is a hard person to move for he does not say he won’t, but on the contrary he suggests he will but does not. The whole world for years has been giving him good advice, and securing from him promises of reform, but he still goes on in his own old way. He appears to ba very much like a hedgehog, dangerous to tackle, not fromhis strength, but his points. The gentleman on the throne of Turkey is. the acknowledged head of the whole Mahometan world, and to interfere with him means trouble to those who have subjects who number many Mahomedans. Those who have these subjects, like Britain and Russia, are generally desirous of getting some other country to pull the chestnuts out of the fire, and thus the Sultan plays off one country .igaiiJiiu .mother and remains as ho na-i. "’'his hinterland business near Aden is not of much importance in itself, but it tends to assure the Sultan’s subjects that he is strong enough to argue with the greatest nation on earth, which may count to his advantage at some future day. Aden is situated on the peninsula on the south-west coast of Arabia, and was occupied by the British in the year 1839. In the old days this was an important trading centre and flourished before the Portuguese discovered the Cape route. The climate is very hot and the rainfall scanty, and the reservoirs established there point to its ancient importance as some of them date back from B C., 1700. When Britain took possession the trade had fallen very considerably, but on the opening of the Suez Canal it has almost recovered its importance. Aden has now become a great coaling station, and is one of the strongest fortified' naval stations commanding the Red Sea route. Perim, a small island in the narrow strait leading into the Red Sea was occupied in 1857; both places are I. gaily part of Briti.-h India. As it was- found at Hongkong so wo expect it has been found at Aden, that Owing to the long range of modern artillery it is important to hold the surrounding high laud of any fortified spot.