Page 19 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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been desirous of placing the Muscat Customs
under the superintendence of a British official.
In 11)05 they suggested that an arrangement
should be proposed to the Sultan of Muscat for
the appointment of a British head Customs
officer. This official was to be nominated by the
Indian Government and appointed by the Sultan.
But, although a servant of the Sultan, it was to
bo stipulated that, in eases of important differences
of opinion between him and llis Highness, the
latter should agreo to accept the friendly arbitra­
tion of the British Political Agent.
Another feature of the proposal was a guarantee
by India of the Muscat Customs revenue to the
extent of 20,000 dollars a month.
Circumstances were apparently favourable for
such an arrangement, as the Sultan had become
dissatisfied with his own administration of the
Customs. Owing to disputes he was unable to
obtain from that source sufficient funds even to
To India Office, send a steamer to Zanzibar. It appeared, how­
Murcli 23, 1905.
ever, to Lord Lansdowne that any considerable
change in the internal administration of Muscat
would afford the French Government grounds
of complaint or a pretext for a counter-move,
lie considered that an arrangement might be
made of a less far-reaching character than that
proposed by the Government of India; and, in
any case, he thought that the matter should bo
deferred until the conclusion of the Muscat
arbitration.
India Office, Later in the year the Sultan applied to the
Novemljer 28,
1905. Indian Government for a loan, and it was sug­
gested that compliance with this request might
afford a reason for bringing up the question of a
reorganization of the Customs. Negotiations
were, however, then in progress for carrying into
effect the Muscat Arbitration Award, and Lord
To India Office, Lansdowne considered that, pending their con­
December G, 1905.
clusion, it was inadvisable to deal with the loan on
To India Office, the proposed basis. He limited bis approval to
March 29, 190G
[10128]. the grant of a small advance, in relief of the
Sultan’s pressing financial difficulties, repayable
from bis subsidy, without political conditions.0
• The following loans have beeu made to the Sultan of
Muscat from Indian revenues:—
1902. 1,50,000 rupees (10,000/.), advanced to Sultan for
purchase of yacht.
1904. 30,000 rupees (2,000/.), on condition he was not to
lorrow elsewhere.
190G. 20,000 rupees (1,333/.), sanctioned, butappareutly not
taken advantage of, by llis Highness.