Page 789 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 65

Mohammed bin Abdullah al Khnlili as Imam at Nizwa, and reached^ Soma’l
24 hours before tho Sultan’s men. Tho tribes went with him, and'though
later he had some difficulty at ltustnq which was taken by Ahmed bin Ibra­
him on behalf of the Sultan, and held by him for some time, the issue was
never really in doubt.
lie bowover well knew that in spite of his initial success, his future would
depend on the removal of tho penal zakat and the conclusion of a km {^factory
settlement, as this had been tho cause of the late crisis. He therefore at once
wrote to the Political Agent, who had been able conspicuously to keep aloof
asking for negotiations to be reopened. This letter is worthy of quoiation in
full, as much as giving an insight into the character of the Omanis, as for the
singular contrast of its style 10 that employed by supposedly more cultured
nations in their official communications.
“ Wc inform your honour that when the Imam, to whom may God be
merciful, was murdered, the heads of the tribes the righteous people, and the
learned m<n, seeing separation from God’s work and dispersion of His orders,
gathered together to elect an Imam. They brought forward the learned men
Mohammad bin Abdullah al Khalili as an Imam, for in him they perceived
virtues and capacity for it. 'I bus that which had been shattered was made
good again, and praise be to God the tribes returned to their former state,
after that they were about to cause bloodshed and to rob properties, and to
God is the grace and the glory. Today we reached Finja, and if God wills
we intend to go to Rustaq to extinguish the fires of vengeance. From God we
expect help and favour. There had taken place a discussion about settlement,
but it could not be ageed upon, but now after we have regulated our affair* it
is incumbent upon us to reopen it, if God wills. Wo are sending this letter
to you through the learned Sheikh Said bin Nasir al Kindi so that all may be
known to you, and salams."
The reply to this was that the confiscated property must first be returned
unconditionally before the Political Agent would consent to mediate.
Within a month the gardens bad been returned unconditionally, and Isa
on behalf of the Imam was waiting to meet the Political Agent.
The meeting finally took place at Sib. The Political Agent filled the role
of mediator between the Sultan’s Government and tho Omanis. He had
shortly before while in India obtained a full authorisation from the Sultan to
act as he thought best in the matter of an agreemont, and no representative of
the Sultan was therefore present. On the Omanis side were Sheikh Isa bin
Salih and some twenty prominent shaikhs with numerous followers, while Al
Kindi, in his position as under the thumb of the Sultan though openly
sympathising with and respected by the Omanis, was a prominent figure.
After three days negotiations in which the Omanis mingled strangely
shrewdness and simplicity, a desire to bluff and an astonishingly acourate
knowledge of the weakness of their own position, an agreement on the following
terms was concluded.
The Sultan's Government would—
(1) reduce the zakat on all goods coming into the coast towns to 6 per
cent;
(2) guarantee safety and freedom for Omanis in the coast towns;
(3) remove all restrictions on the entry of Omauis into Muscat and
Muttrah;
(4) return fugitives from their justice and not interfere in their
internal affairs ;
Tho Omanis would—
(1) remain in peace with the Sultan, not attack the coast and not inter­
fere with his government;
'
(2) permit freedom of trade and travel in Oman and g\iarantee the
safety of travellers;