Page 542 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

6 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OF TEE PEU8IAN GULP POLITICAL

7. Sovyid Abdul ’Azccz-bin-Sa’ecd, a younger brother of the late Seyyid
Turki, has for many years resided in Central 'Oman in a straitened condition,
living in hopes of eventually succeeding to the Sultanate. It was naturally
expected that this aspirant would speedily appear in the field, and attack his
nephews. But “ the unexpected ” once more prevailed. Either from want of
money or of the support of the Sharkiyah tribes, or from unknown causes, no
movement of the sort has hitherto occurred, and, as time went on, the adherence
of Salih bin Ali El-Hartlii and others, w ith absence of any opposition to
Scyyid Feysal, seemed to indicate that the latter was practically the elect of
the people, and had thus fulfilled the conditions qualifying him for formal
recognition as Sultan.
8. The expedition undertaken by Seyyid Feysal against his cousin
Ibrahim-bin-Kais, its failure, and his failing to come to, or keep to terms with
Ibrahim are circumstances which have damaged Seyyid Feysal’s prestige and
weakened his position. He has further neglected to strengthen himself by
gathering round him persons of weight, and seeking counsel of experienced
advisers. From his assumption of power UDtil May 1SS9 His Highness
appointed no one to be his Wazeer or Minister, transacting all business per­
sonally or through writers of no standing.
9 Having visited Muscat in April 18S9, it appeared to me that, owing to
circumstances, such as above indicated, Seyyid Feysal's position had become
more insecure than at the outset, and tbat his formal recognition bad better be
postponed. This alteration in the opinion previously expressed by me was con­
sequent on information received at Muskat.
10. The death of Seyyid Turki is felt to be a misfortune to ’Oman; for,
although bis rule was by no means vigorous, he was well skilled in managing
Arabs, and usually mild and liberal. His loyalty to the British Government
was sincere and unswerving. Whatever his vacillations in other matters, from
this policy he never departed, namely full trust in, and devotion to, the British
power. This well-known loyalty was recognised by Her Majesty conferring
on His Highness in 1886 the Grand Cross of the Star of India, and at the same
time the British Government undertook to afford him active support during
his life-time, in case of insurrections and attacks on Muscat. This announce­
ment ensured the maintenance of peace at Muscat so long as Seyyid Turki
should continue to reign, and makes hts loss the more felt.
11. During his later years Seyyid Turki suffered much from ill-health,
and his sufferings impairing his mind and judgment rendered him. prone to
superstition, and the * painful suspicions arising therefrom embittered his last
days.
Si.—'OMAN PIRATE COAST.
12. Shaikh Harney d bin. Abdullah, El Jowasimi, continues to rule over this
petty independent township, the most northern of
Ba»-el-Kbaimtib.
the six so-ctaBed ** Tracial ports.’’ The people of
Ras-el-Khaimah were during the year on bad terms with the tribes of El-Haboos
and El-Shehooh, and several persons belonging to Eas-el-Khaimah were mur­
dered by their enemies in the outlying date plantations. The Haboos also de­
stroyed about two hundred datetree9 at Khat, a village .under Shaikh Hameyd.
13. A vessel belonging to Ras-el-Khaimah having been seized illegally by
the Deputy Governor of Bunder Abbas, representations were made to Persian
authorities by the Residency, which led to the payment of compensation by
the Deputy Governor.
14. .The only occurrence to be noticed is the
Umra-«l.Kjirfain.
death of Mohammed, son of Shaikh Ahmed-bin-
Abdullah, Al-Bu-Ali, Chief* of this district.