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35. Although the Imam and the tribesmen are content with the Treaty the
Sultan resents the restrictions it places on his sovereignty. From the early days of
his reign he has been trying to ingratiate himself with the tribal Shaikhs by
entertaining them when they come to Muscat, by giving them presents of money,
though not on a very lavish scale, and by displaying his orthodoxy as an Ibadhi
Muslim. He has, it is believed, cherished a hope that when the Imam, who is old
and frequently ailing, dies he will be accepted as ruler of the interior in his place.
He does not wish to be elected as Imam, as this would involve recognition of the
elective principle and would not ensure the continuance of the dynastic rule of his
family over Oman.(°) Apart from this on at least three occasions he has asked
for the assistance of Her Majesty’s Government in subjugation of Oman by force.
In 1939 he proposed to raise a force of 1,000 men to re-assert his authority and
maintain control and threatened to retire for good to Dhofar or to abdicate if he
were not given financial assistance for this and other projects. On this occasion
events were overtaken by the War. In 1945 he was encouraged by the illness of
the Imam and approaches made to him by tribal leaders to make another plan
for the conquest of Oman and in 1946 asked for the assistance of the Royal Air
Force for this purpose. When this was refused because it would give rise to much
criticism and might lead to the arraignment of His Majesty’s Government before
the Security Council of the United Nations!44) the Sultan abandoned his scheme
and would not accept a proposal that a small expedition led by a British Political
Officer and including technical oil experts under an armed escort provided by the
Sultan should visit the interior to make contact with the leading Shaikhs. While
he was in London in 1953 in an interview with the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs he again asked for financial assistance to raise a force of 1,500 men for the
conquest of ’Oman but it was considered impolitic to encourage such a venture.
36. The Imam Muhammad bin Abdullah al Khalili was elected on the
assassination of his predecessor in 1920 and in 1953 was believed to be about 75
years old. He is often ailing and since about 1938 has from time to time been
reported to be on the point of death.!45) Tribal representatives have from time to
time discussed the election of a successor but have decided that this would not be
proper during his life-time. In 1952 however they elected an assistant to work
with him, in order to give themselves an opportunity of judging the suitability of
this assistant to succeed him in due course. The Imam resides at Nizwah and most
of the tribes of the interior acknowledge his sway as far north as Ibri, which he
occupied in 1941, at the southern end of the Dhahirah. He also has influence over
the tribes in the desert west of the mountains. There are however one or two
tribes even in central Oman such as the Janabah of Izz who acknowledge neither
him nor the Sultan. He is represented by Walis in numerous centres, maintains
law and order through armed retainers and collects zakat on dates and other
produce. Muhammadan law is rigorously enforced and he is his own Chief Qadhi.
His rule is reported to be just and according to one traveller a sort of primitive
golden age has until recently prevailed. Modernising influences are carefully
excluded, and so far as is known doctors from the American Mission at Muscat
are the only Christians who have been permitted to visit the territory under his
influence during recent years. The tribes have enjoyed peace for a generation under
his rule. There have been occasional tribal affrays but he has quickly intervened
to restore order. Although it is difficult to believe that the Imam is ignorant of
the Sultan’s ambitions relations between them are friendly and they have
co-operated closely in the crisis created by the Saudis’ occupation of Hamasah in
Buraimi.
37. The first Omani tribal leader who showed a desire to change the status
quo was Sulaiman bin Hamyar. In 1946 he wrote a letter direct to the United
States Consul at Dhahran who asked the Sultan to reply to it on his behalf. In
J950 he made two indirect approaches to the Political Resident for independent
recognition. In the following year he performed the pilgrimage to Mecca and on
both his outward and return journeys called on His Majesty’s representatives in
the Persian Gulf and repeated his request, but was told that his relations with His
Majesty’s Government must be conducted through the Sultan. In 1952 he went
to see Turki, the Saudi Amir in Buraimi, and was sent on to see Ibn Saud in
(**) IO toFO. Ext. 6568/46 of October 2. 1946 (E9840/1443/91 of 1946).
(44) I.O. to FO. Ext. 4513/46 of July 11. 1946 (E 6517/86/91 of 1946).
(45) He died in May, 1954.