Page 271 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND T1IE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1007-1008. 87
Zikki ami the Jebel Akhdar. There was loss of life on both Bides, but no signal
victory was obtained by cithor party, excepting the capture of the two forts ou
Jebel Kanin, by the Bani Itiynm, already referred to.
Some desultory fighting took place in Jaalan between the Bani Bu Ali Bani Bu All
and Bani Bu
*
and Bani Bu Ilassan, the powerful Gliafiri and Ilinavi tribes of that district • Ilassan.
Being hereditary enemies they are practically never at peace.
Nnktal and
Slight local disturbances occurred at Naklil and Wadi Maawal. Wudi Maawal.
On 10th January news reached Mnskat that the A1 Kathir of Dhofar had Dhofur'
killed three slaves of. the late Wali Suleirnan-bin-Suwcylira. These slaves
formed part of the Customs guard there. The inhabitants, it was rumoured,
had sent a deputation to the Sultan of Makalla pleading for his protection.
His Highness foaring a revolt of tho inhabitants, similar to that of 1897,
at once despatched his eldest son, Saiyid Taimur, and the Wali of Mutrah to
Dhofar in his yacht, the Nur-ul-Bahr along with 40 soldiers, lfe instructed
them to take, suitable steps to ensure peace and conciliate tho inhabitants. On
arrival at Dhofar everything was found to be perfectly quiet.
The three slaves were found to have been killed at tho inland Customs
post because they bad continued to demand enhanced duty so as to line their
own pockets.
The Kathiris, however, would not visit Saiyid Taimur being afraid of being
seized and deported to Maskat. Sanid Taimur appointed a Munshi of His
Highness the Sultan, named Abedin Kasim Ali, an Indian Muhammadan, as
Cusioms Officer. Saiyid Taimur then left for Maskat, taking with him the
Naib Wali of Dhofar and a Nubian slavo of the late Wali Suleiman-bin-
Suwcylim.
H.M.S. Perseus paid a visit, subsequently, to Dhofar and several of the
Shaikhs went on board on the invitation of the Commander. He also landed
and gave a few presents to tho chief Shaikhs and made a small tour in the
surrounding district.
On April 12th, news was received of the death at Poona of Saiyid Abdul Obituary.
Aziz-bin-Said, uncle of His Ilighucss tho Sultan. The Sultan’s flag and those
of all the Consulates were left at half mast for a week. This unfortunate
prince was named in the lifetime of Said Turki by the then Political 4gent
as the most fitted and likely heir to succeed him.
But when Sultan Saiyid Turki died and the occasion arose to grasp the
power, his friends and followers, who twice during the lifetime of Saiyid Turki
had attempted hut failed to capture Maskat for him, refused to assist him.
This was due to the intriguing of Shaikh Saloh-bin-Ali el Harithi, who to
gratify his own ambition did not wish to see a strong man on the throne of
Maskat.
After feeble attempts to oust his nephew from power in which he received
no support from the influential Shaikhs, Saiyid Abdul Aziz retired to India,
where lie continued to vainly ask the Government of India to interfere on his
behalf.
Happily this troublesome question lias been finally settled. French Flag
A proclamation has been prepared in Arabic in the name of His Highness wuion.
8ir Saiyid Faisal and will shortly be issued to all whom it may concern.
The number of dhows permitted to fly the French flag has been finally
reduced to 13. There are, however, 6ix subjects of Zanzibar, who by virtue
of an agreement signed at Zanzibar in 1904, between the French and English
Governments, arc to be regarded as prot6g6s of France “ a titre Zanzibarito ”
during tlicir lifetime. Their dhows have been registered in our Consulate, but
only a few of them are stated to trade with Oman. It is certain that several
owners of dhows permitted to fly the French flag are only waiting for the
authorization of His Highness’s proclamation to renounce their rights.
It is a matter for great mutual congratulation that this difficult question
is finally disposed of. His Highness expresses himself as very grateful for
tho assistance and support he has received throughout from the British
Government.