Page 13 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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Government of India almost without intermission*
lo tho reigning Sultan of Muscat. The Sultan
wns to receive this subsidy “ so long as ho con­
tinued faithfully to fulfil his Treaty engagements,
and manifest his friendship towards the British
Government." It appears, indeed, that since the
time of Saiyid Said no Sultan of Muscat has been
able effectively to establish his position without
obtaining tho recognition of tho British Govern­
ment. Throughout this period tho Government
of India have on sovcral occasions been called
upon to intervene in tho dynastic disputes of the
Muscat State. Claimants or pretenders have
been interned in India, have been prevented
from attacking n reigning Sultan, have been
given allowances, and have been otherwise
treated with marks of wise and beneficent
interest. Thus, in 1871, in 1877, 1S83, 1880,
1888, 1890, and again in 1695 and 1890, His
Majesty’s Government nlfordcd the Sultan
valuable and effective support in the maintenance
of stable government.
This catalogue of services rendered by the
British Government to successive ltulors of
Muscat, and notably to tho present occupant of
the throne, the annual payment of a subsidy
contingent upon tho loyal fulfilment of Treaty
obligations, and the history of tho influence
thereby exercised by Great Britain for a period
of over half a century upon the fortunes of the
State, at once explain and justify the existence
of a positive political predominance on the part
of Great Britain, that is shared by no other
Power in the affairs of Muscat. "While not com­
promising the independence of its Sovereign/which
both tho British and French Governments have
reciprocally bound themselves, by a declaration
made iu the yeav 1SG2, to respect, this condition of
affairs has yet been the inevitable outcome of tho
physical situation of the country, of its contiguity
to the, shores of India, and of its close proximity
to the waters of tho Persian Gulf, in which
British interests, political and commercial, havo
exorcised so commanding an influence.
• (1.) Tlioro was an intermission in 1888-90, consequent ou
the death of Sultan Seyvid Turki, and pendiug tho complete
recognition of his successor.
(2.) There was a very short intermission from December
1898 to September 1899, gliding the settlement of un^id
IKtlances of indemnity (arising out of losses to British subjects
during Abdnlluh-bin-Haleh’s rcltcllion) and of two loans,
(liritish Counter-Case, Section VIII.)
[109b] D