Page 530 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Imam. A more likely reason, ns has been reported, is that the financial
condition of tho Imam is not very prosperous owing to a serious decline ia
his revenues consequent upon the heavy fall in the price of dates, on the export
of which the prosperity of the Oman almost entirely depends. The news of
tho oil concession recently granted by the Sultan to Petroleum Concessions
Limited has, it is believed, penetrated throughout tho State and it is quite
probable that Shaikh ’Isa’s visit was connected with tho object of sharing in
tho spoils the extent of which has no doubt been exaggerated in proportion
to the distance the news has travelled. Though the Sultan denied that any
oil matters were referred to by Shaikh ’Isa the latter did not altogether fail
in what was in all probability the real reason of his trip from the interior-
financial assistance—as the Sultan admitted ruefully that the visit which
lasted less than a week, cost him in presents and entertainment well over
Rs. 4,000.
At this price tho Sultan declared he preferred not to have further visits
from Shaikh ’Isa for some years to come.
That the situation in the Oman is in a state of flux appears fairly certain,
but whether this visit of the leading personage therein to the excommuni­
cated nominal Ruler of tho country means the beginning of the break up of
the Imam’s authority and control over the tribes of the interior, which the
Sultan has declared in so many words ho believes to be happening, is another
and more dubious matter and which time alone will clear up.
(6) The 1891 Treaty of Commerce, Friendship and Navigation between
His Majesty’8 Government and the Sultan was renewed on its due date 11th
February.
In March tho Sultan in accordance with Article 23 of the Treaty gave
notice of his desire to revise the Treaty and the Political Agent was appointed
to act as negotiator on behalf of His Majesty’s Government. After a number
of discussions the Sultan’s draft for the revised Treaty was completed and in
October forwarded to the Political Resident for submission to His Majesty’s
Government.
The Sultan has put forward many important proposals in his draft
Treaty in which complete fiscal and tariff autonomy is claimed. The
important privilege of extra territoriality enjoyed by British subjects under
the existing Treaty is, however, left untouched in the new Treaty.
5. Oil Concession.—In June the Sultan with the approval of His Majesty’s
Government commenced negotiations for an Oil Concession for his State with
Petroleum Concessions Limited, a company principally British in composi­
tion, whose registered office is in London. After less than 3 weeks negotia­
tions which is probably a record for celerity in such a matter and which was-
due in considerable measure to the ability and skill of the negotiator repre­
senting the Company, Mr. B. J. Lerraite, the Sultan signed an agreement
giving the exclusive right to prospect for and exploit oil in his Arabian terri­
tories to Petroleum Concessions Limited. The Concession was in two Parts
(a) for the Province of Dhofar and (6) for the remainder of the Arabian terri­
tory of the Sultanate.
The enclave of Gwadur, a small dependency of Muscat State situated on
the coast of British Baluchistan, was not included in the above concessions
since the Company were not interested in and consequently did not apply
for this area.
6. Judicial—Judicial matters form the subject of a separate report.
7. Trade.—Imports and exports during the year 1936-37 showed a slight
improvement as will be seen from the following figures supplied by the local
Customs Department:—
Year. Imports. Exports.
Its. Rs.
1935- 36. 38,37,835 32,64,948
1936- 37. 44,05,801 32,41,041
The principal articles of export continued to be dry and wet dates and
dried fish, whilst imports were chiefly composed of rice, flour, coffee^ textiles,
sugar, spices, wines and liquors.