Page 245 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

POE THE YEAR 1013, 103
On tho evening of the 4th October in the present year, His Highness the
nbin^cthoSaltan.ndbt. famt!,. Sultan Sir Saiyid Faisal bin Turld,
G.O.I.E., Sultan of Alaskat and ’Oman,
died of a dropsy. Though, for some years, his health had occasionally shown
^quieting symptoms, Ilia Highness was actively attending to State affairs
during the mornlis of August and tho first half of September. Even as late
a8 28th September, tho Agcacy Surgeon, who was, with Major Corrie Hudson,
1. M- S., in constant attendance on His Highness until the very end, antici­
pated no immediate danger, though tho Sultan’s condition gave cause for
grave anxiety.
Relations between His Highness and the Agency were exceedingly cordial
until tho sad event. recorded above took place. As the Imam’s rebellion,
presently to be mentioned, gathered strength, His Highness came to rely more
and more on the advice and assistance of the British authorities and it was
remarked, in more directions than one, that the rebellion had shown His
Highness where his true interests lay and on whose friendship ho could
confidently rely.
Saiyid Fazal bin Turki became Sultan of Maskat in 1888, succeeding his
father, Saiyid Turki bin Saeed, whoso second son he was. He was not, however,
recognised as Suitau of Alaskat and ’Oman by the British Government until
1890. In 1895, a formidable rising of the Hinawi tribesmen took place against
him, when the rebels actually peuetrated into Alaskat, and Saiyid Fazal was
turned temporarily out of his palaco and became a refugee in the Eastern
fort of Alaskat. At the time of his death, he was faced with another serious
rebellion, which is described later in this report. We may almost 6ay that
his reign too marked the rise of the arms traffic, which so frequently imperil­
led the friendly relations between his State and the British Government. It may
be possible to hope that the warehouse which he established last year may
practically close this troublesome question so far as concerns Alaskat.
The other main controversy which troubled Alaskat tranquillity during
Saiyid Fazal’s reign was the “ French flag” question, settted in favour of the
views of tho Sultan and the British Government by tho Hague tribunal in
1905.
A much abused man, whilo he lived, Saiyid Fazal bin Turki has, in many
quarters, been deeply regretted since his death. He was undoubtedly a
weak ruler^but his pleasant genial manners and accessibility won him some
popularity. He never wanted personal courage and was undoubtedly kindly
and humane. He could never, at least so far as the writer could observe,
find it in his heart to punish anybody and the natural result, in a place like
Haskat, was chaos in the administration. The luud lamentations, that
accompanied his corpse to its last resting place; were not altogether due to the
hysteria of the crowd. That Alaskat declined greatly in prosperity during
his reign was not due so much to any action^ or neglect on the
part of the ruler but to external circumstances over which he had no control.
Much of the transport trade in which Alaskat catered for to the smaller
Persian and Arab ports, has now disappeared owing to the direct visits of
steamers from India and Europe to those ports. The tribes of ’Oman had never
any justification for their rebellious attitude towards a ruler who never
troubled them with taxation nor oppressed them in any way. So far as his
means admitted, he was generous to theltribesmon and it was probably only his
Weakness, coupled with rumours as to the possible effect of the new arms
traffic regulations, that tempted them to darken the dosing days of his
existence.
He was succeeded by Saiyid Taimur, his eldest son, who was recognised
by the British and French Governments on the 15th November 1913.
A member of tho Sultan’s family who may oome into greater prominence
later on is Saiyid Dhiyab bin Fahad bin Turki, who arrived at Maskat about
June of the present year. Ho has been educated in England and talks English
fluently. He is a young man of ploasont manners and appearance ; on State
occasions he, with Saiyids Nadir and Muhammad, remains in attendance on
?niyid Taimur but does not so far interfere to any groat extent in the admin-
Oration.