CENTENARY OF ADEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

CENTENARY OF ADEN

JUST one hundred years ago the British took possession of Aden, lonely and barren outpost at the entrance to the Red Sea. All mariners and globe trotters know the place, either as a grim mass of forbidding rock on a sullen horizon, or else as a fuelling flotation and port of call at which it does not pay to tarry. Indeed, the reputation of the colony is singularly unenviable. This may be largely due to physical circumstances, but history plays its part. _ As long ago as Roman times the territory had sufficient strategic importance to engage the attention cf all potential world-conquerors. When Aden was not garrisoned by some ambitious European terrorist, it was dominated by neighbouring Arabian princes. In 1513, it was unsuccessfully attacked by the Portuguese. Twenty years later the Turks had more luck, and Solyman the Magnificent constructed mighty fortifications round the time-scarred mountains.

This Turkish occupation lasted _ till 1735, during which period the little State enjoyed a certain measure of vicarious prosperity. But the Turks were

Britain's Newest Crown Colony Celebrates An Occasion.

By--Donald Cowie

succeeded by the Arabs of nearby Lahej, who were not good husbandmen; and by 1'839 Aden was in a pitiful condition of bankruptcy and neglect. That year the British sent an expedition from Bombay, and on January 19 the port and ... ' territory were declared a colony under the chief oil fuelling stations of the M. • r.f TnHi» ' world. It is true that the nation which the Government of India. controlg cm dominate the ni Ked Sea and the Arabian Sea to-morrow. tlun OT Acaaem. This youngest British colony has It has been said that the British an- emerged from long obscurity to become nexation' of Aden was: part of" a-deliber- a n almost indispensable'link in the chain ate plan to secure what might be an of Imperial defence. important strategic point in the event So if your ship calls at Aden, don't of the cutting of a Suez Canal. But take any notice of what the seasoned the truth probably is that once again traveller tells you* but go ashore at the British took a lucky shot in the once and have a look round for yourdark planting their flag where others self. Probably you will be both surhad contemptuously, passed ,by. Still, prised and fascinated. Tropical beauty the fact does remain that the opening spots and Oriental magnificence will not nf the Canal in 1869 at once elevated be included in the programme this time, neglected Aden to a position of great I grant you that. But I think you will commercial, and strategic importance. find that Adenoma a^® tl "^^ a n r " t " To dav this territory is not only a of its own, that has been heightened in valuable entrepot for trade with Arabia recent years by growing prosperity and and nearby countries, but alp one of importance.

PASSING In the purple mystery Of the twilight hour, A scarlet petal, Falling from a rose, Dropped As silent as the passing time. And with it Passed the memory of that hour, That magic hour with you, When, 'neath the summer skies, That very rose ll'us crushed between our hands,

Altogether the Aden Protectorate covers ail area larger than Wales. It stretches from the coast opposite the < Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb to a point 400 miles east of Aden. But the inhabited area is email, carrying a population of only 56,000, mixed Arab, Somali and Indian, who engage in industries such as salt working and fish curing. The population and industries are necessarily kept within narrow bounds by the absence of any reliable natural water 1 supply. The native inhabitants are mainly Arabic-speaking, but the princi- , pal shops and well-appointed hotels are multi-lingual. The currency is Indian. • Ancient and Modern I Take one of the circular motor tours, • covering about 30 miles in approximately two hours at a cost of about 10/ a head. You will visit the Tawahi quarter, with its Oriental bazaar, and, later on, what is reputed to be the oldest shipbuilding yard in the world. Beyond Maalla you will pass beetling crags that are said to have constituted the last resting place of the unhappy Cain. (Genesis, chap. IV., v. 16). Now the road enters a fearsome cutting, fully 50ft deep, and you arrive at the strange town of Crater, nearby which are to be found the Tanks, a system of water control and reservoirs in solid rock that were probably constructed by the Persians over 1000 years ago. Nearby is a sinister Par3ee Tower of Silence. Later on you will come to Royal Air Force cantonments and landing grounds, various salt works, and then the oasis of Sheik Othman. For the first time on this journey cool vegetation and green gardens refresh the sun-weary eye. Water-boring operations have been conducted in this place with some success, and here are date groves, a colourful bazaar, a mosque and public gardens. If you have so arranged your tour that . you may return from this point to the ship in moonlight, then the vista of shining harbour and grotesque, guardian rocks will not be forgotten in a hurry. It is interesting to note that last vear Aden was removed from the control of the Government of India to that of the Colonial Office in London. To-day, under the patronage of the Governor, Sir Bernard Reilly, a committee is planning to establish a maternity and child welfare, clinic and a permanent organisation for poor relief, as the most suitable and lasting form of centennial memorial. Truly, one is tempted to remark, the ugly duckling of the British Empire has come into her own at last.

As moonlight filtered through the pines And breezes stirred the lush gras« Into life. It died. So passed our love; Each leaf a memory Reminding me of you. I, being sentimental, Buried it Deep in the cool, brown earth From whence it sprang. And with the scarlet rose I buried there The memory Of that crazy moonlit hour With you. —PHILIPPA M. STIMPSON.