ABSTRACT
WHEN the Sultan's letters enclosing the communiques had been sent off there was nothing tnuch to do except sit back and wait for reactions. These were on the whole favourable, but there was considerable doubt as to "rhether the Govenunent really would do anything to help if occasion arose. This doubt was not to be wondered at, considering that hitherto contact had, as the Sultan said, usually been confined to short visits when "Salaam aleikum" and" Fiatnanillah" (How do you do l Good-bye) had been about the only conversation. I remembered the conference the Sultan and the Seiyids had asked Lake and myself to attend in the 'Izz ad Din in November, 1934. After speaking with great earnestness on the desire of the Hadhratnaut for peace, Sultan 'Ali and the Seiyids had apparently expected some more encouraging reply than the words of thanks they got from us for their hospitality and an assurance that they would be treated with equal hospitality in Aden should they visit it. The patience of despair with which this kindly speech was greeted, convinced me as much as anything of the earnestness of the leading people of the country and detertnined me, if ever I could, to help them.
