Page 490 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

13 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OX THE FERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Maskat, and during that time the friendly intercourse between the two
Governments has boon demonstrated by a series of treaties or conventions of
which I can trace no fewer than nine, and which have provided for tho closest
political and commercial relations as well as for the suppression of the slave
trade and of piracy, and for tho extension of the electric telegraph.
This series of agreements not ouly sufficiently testifies to the connections
that havo grown up between tho two Governments and that have linked the
State of Oman to tho British Government by quite exceptional tics, but they
have also been strengthened, as Your Highness has pointed out, by the support
which has been given on critical occasions by the British Government to
successive Rulers of Oman, while a further and natural boud of union is
supplied by tho facts that Maskat lies just opposite to the shores of India, that
its trade is not only for tho most part with India, hut is largely in Indian
hands, that a large number of British Indian subjects reside here, and that
the prosperity of the State is mainly dependent on these conditions. It is not
surprisiug, therefore, that the Government of India should feel a particular
interest iu this place, or that a Viceroy of India should desire to visit it and to
make the acquaintance of its Ruler. His pleasure in doing so is greatly
enhanced when lie learns from Your Highness’s own lips that ycu and your
children will ever be mindful of these strong and ancient obligations,
and that to them you and they will always remain loyal. These are words
which I shall cherish in friendly recollection, not only on my own
behalf, hut on behalf of the Government which I represent. Your
Hislmess has now ruled your State for fifteen years. I had tho pleasure of
visiting it when you had only just succeeded fourteen years ago, and I am
"lad to congratulate Your Highness on the progress that has since been made.
The volume of your trade is steadily increasing, the wise step which tbe
Government of India so strongly urged on Your Highness a few years ago, of
taking over the customs of your State in preference to farming them to
others, has been attended with largely increased profits, and it gave me much
satisfaction, two years ago, with Your Highness’s permission, to bring your
capital into still closer connection with the outer world by laying a telegraphic
cable from Jask to Maskat. I also personally selected }[ajor Cox, as an
officer in whose discretion and ability I bad perfect confidence, to represent
the Government of India at your capital, and Your Highness has already
assured me that you have found in him a prudent councillor and friend. At
Delhi in January last, though Your Highness was unable to accept my in­
vitation to the great ceremony that we held to celebrate the Coronation of Hi9
Majesty the King-Emperor, I bad the pleasure of welcoming your son,
Taimur, and of conversing with him about the condition and welfare of Oman.
I have referred to the fact that the British Government havo extended a
peculiar measure of protection in the past to the State of Oman and its
Rulers. They have on more than one occasion intervened to save it -from
rebellion or disruption. Your Highness may rest assured that this policy will
not be departed from. So long as the Rulers of Oman continue to observe
their treaty engagements to the Government of India, and to administer tins
State with enlightenment and justice, they will coutinuc to receive the support
of the British Government, which is interested in preserving the peace of the
country and the security of its trade. We cannot regard with satisfaction the
attempts of discontented classes or persons among Your llighness’s 6ubject9
to disturb tbe tranquillity of your State, because, in so doing, not only do they
contost Your Highness’s authority, but they are apt to injure the iuterests of
British subjects also. These interests we are bound to protect for our own
sake os well as for youra. Wc hope that Your nighnoss will continue to
triumph ovor all such adversaries as in the past. I trust that this important
occasion, when for the first time a Rulor of Oman and the Representative in
India of the Illustrious British Sovereign exchange greetings in the waters of
Maskat, may be a landmark in the history of tho ever widening and deepening
connection between our *two States, that the firm friendship between them
may continue to grow, and that Your Highness may bo blosscd with health
and long life to rule over a pacified and loyal people. I have still one agree­
able function to perform. Only yesterday I received the gracious permission