Page 793 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 69

The approaching disbandment of the Sistan levies favoured the inception
of the scheme, and the men, 250, were ready to come when the whole was held
up by the discovery of Gilbertian situation created by the Arms Traffic Conven­
tion of 1919, which, by placing Arabia within the prohibited area, did not make
possible the importation of any arms into Muscat, oven by the Sultan, the
ruler of an independent Slate for the purposes of his own defence. The only
solution is the adherence of Muscat to the Convention, and it is hoped that
this will 6oon be permitted.
"With the arrival of tho levy it will he possible for the British regiment to
be withdrawn, especially in view of the peace with Oman which minimises the
danger of attack from that quarter.
Tho sole means of transport at the disposal of the local government had
been the Sultan’s so called yacht, which for many years had been in the pangs
of dissolution, and a voyage in which was fraught with the gravest danger.
This has been sold as scrap iron, and an order has been placed for a fast sea­
going motor boat which should be ready early in 1921. This will enable fre­
quent inspection of the outlying ports.
(e) Education.
If the spasmodic teaching by a Tunisian Arab of about 5U boys in Muscat
in the Koran and the elements of addition and substraction be excopted, there
is no school either in the Sultan’s territory or in Oman proper. Ignorance is
incredible, and it is largely due to this and to the disinclination of tho Arab of
this part of the world to learn, that it is impossible to obtain candidates for
Government employ. Trade for tho same reason in Muscat and Muttra ha\
passed entirely out of Arab hands. It is stated that there is not an Aiab
below the age of sixty in the towns who can write one page of correct Arabic.
One of tho first efforts of the Council should be to start a good school, but no
local material is available for teaching, and it is doubtful if qualified men from
outside will come however generous the terms offered.
(3) The attitude of the Sultan.
The character of the present Sultan, once the replica of his father’s in its
vain pomposity, fantastic ideas of independence, and general obstinacy and
incompetence, seemed to have changed during 1919 for the better. The peri­
lous condition of his state, his impending bankruptcy, and tho continued
success of the rebels in the interior, had brought home to him his complete
dependence upon our support and our advice. Once he had accepted the
terms of the loan in fact, it was he who wished to force the pace, and who
pressed for a British adviser. The advice of the Political Agent was always
welcomed and accepted without demur.
That there was something to account for this change of front was suspected,
and the Sultan when asking to be permitted to visit the Viceroy in India hinted
as much. The vi>it was sanctioned and the Sultan and the Political Agent
proceeded to India in March. It was not however till on the vcyage that the
Sultan confessed to the Political Agcntthaf he wished to ask the Viceroy if he
might abdicate.
This request ho preferred in person to His Excellency in Delhi, but for
reasons which are outside the scope of this report the Sultan was toid that the
idea could not be entertained. He was however permitted to extend his stay in
India to three months. This decision was at the time not taken particularly
well by the Sultan, and Government were warned that the Sultan would
inevi ably endeavour to delay his return to Muscat.
The reason for the wish of the Sultan to abdicate were simple. He hated
Muscat, was tired of the dauger and worry of his position, hankered after
civilisation, was thoroughly idle, and had recently married a lovely Circassian
from Constantinople who ho rightly decided would be out of place in his Muscat
harem.
The Sultan was due back in Muscat at the end of June. On that date on
tho plea of health ho fled to Kashmir.