Page 130 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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In July His Highness visited India on a three months’ tour during which
time lie was received by His Excellency the Viceroy at Simla. 1
His Highness, who carries an exceedingly shrewd head on his youmr
shoulders, takes a keen personal interest in the administration of his State and
evinces considerable strength of character in dealing with problems that con-
front him.
Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal, the eldest of His Highness’ uncles, still declines to
take any active part in State affairs but Saiyid Hamid bin Faisal (the "VVali
of Matrah) and many other members of the Royal Family are employed in
various Departments of the Administration.
2. State Finance.—Captain R. G. E. W. Alban having been appointed Finan­
cial Adviser and Commandant, Muscat Infantry, assumed charge of his duties
on 26th January.
The year 1932 commenced with accrued savings of Rs. 24,000 but with out­
standings to the Government of India of Rs. 58,000 and to other creditors
merchants, etc., of approximately Rs. 1,40,000. Rigid economy* and retrench­
ment throughout the year has resulted at its close in the clearance of the debt
to the Government of India and of approximately Rs. 40,000 of other debts.
Arrangements are being made to pay off the balance of the debts in due course.
Although this is a most satisfactory improvement, the State is still con-
fronted by serious difficulties and it seems probable that even further retrench­
ment will have to be devised if the State is* to balance its Budget in the ensuing
years.
3. Events o[ Political Interest in State limits.—The principal focii of interest
during the year were at Sur and Gwadur.
Sur.—Aa has already been shown in the Administration Report for 1931,
Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah al Hamudah of Jaalan had offered considerable opposi­
tion to the establishment of an efficient Customs Administration at Aiqa.
In spite of most generous terms offered to him' by the Sultan, the Sheikh
remained obdurate in his'attitude.
At the close of 1931 the situation was under reference to H. M/s Govern­
ment with the recommendation of the Hon’ble the Political Resident in the
Persian Gulf that Naval and Air actions should be taken against the Beni Bu
Ali, Sheikh Ali’s tribe, should they persist in their contumacy.
Those recommendations having been accepted by H. M.’s Government pre­
parations for a concentration of force in the Sur neighbourhood were inaugurated
in February.
By the 4th March a seaplane base had been established at Khor Jaramah,
where 100 rank and file of the Muscat Infantry, under the orders of Captain
R. G. Alban, afforded protection to a Royal Air Force dump.
On the same day H. M. Ships “ Shoreham ”, “ Bidcford ’’ and 11 Fowey ”,
with the Hon’ble the Political Resident, the Political Agent, Muscat, His High­
ness the Sultan and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf on board, concentrated at
Touch was maintained with Captain Alban’s detachment by Wireless Tele­
graphy, which had been installed against eventualities on board the State gun­
boat “ Al Saidi ” lying at Khor Jaramah.
As a tentative measure a Customs party was put shore at Aiqa on the 4th
March but, but their landing being opposed, they returned to the sloops.
Warnings were therefore issued to the Beni bu Ali that, failing the accept­
ance of a Customs post at Aiqa by noon on the 7th March, this village would be
bombarded and Sheikh Ali’s fort at Jaalan bombed from the air. These warn­
ings were distributed by aeroplane.
Sheikh Ali meanwhile arrived at Aiqa from Jaalan on the 7th March and
immediately addressed a most truculent letter to the Sultan.
the
The ultimatum having expired without the acceptance of the terms,
Beni bu Ali were given notice to remove their women and children from tn
threatened areas, as the bombardment of Aiqa and aerial action against Jaaiai
would commence from dawn of the 9th instant.
On the 8th instant, as a result of this threat, Sheikh Ali intimated his
acceptance of the establishment of a Customs post at Aiqa, and in duo cou