Page 13 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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Government of India almost without intermission*
1o tho reigning Sultan of Muscat. The Sultan
was to receive this subsidy “ so long ns ho con­
tinued faithfully to fulfil his Treaty engagements,
and manifest his friendship towards tho British
Government." It appears, indeed, that since the
timoof Saiyid Said no Sultan of Muscat has been
able effectively to establish his position without
obtaining tho recognition of tho British Govern­
ment. Throughout this period tho Government
of India have on several occasions been cnlled
upon to intervene in tho dynastic disputes of tho
Muscat State. Claimants or pretenders have
been interned in India, have been prevented
from attacking a reigning Sultan, have been
givon allowances, and hnvo been otherwise
treated with marks of wise and beneficent
interest. Thus, in 187 J*. in 1877, 1S83, 1880,
1888, 1890, and again in 1893 and 1896, llis
Majesty’s Government alTordcd the Sultan
valuable and clfectivo support in the maintenance
of stable government.
This catalogue of services rendered by the
British Government to successive Itulers of
Muscat, and notably to the present occupant of
tho throne, the annual payment of a subsidy
contingent upon the loyal fulfilment of Treaty
obligations, and the history of tho influence
thereby exercised by Great Britain for a period
of over half a century upon the fortunes of the
State, at once explain and justify the existence
of a positive political predominance on tho part
of Great Britain, that is shared by no other
Bower in the nfi’airs of Muscat. "While not com­
promising the independence of its Sovereign,which
both tho British and French Governments have
reciprocally bound themselves, by a declaration
made in the year 1862, to respect, this condition of
affairs has yet been the inevitable outcome of the
physical situation of the country, of its contiguity
to the shores of India, and of its close proximity
to the waters of the Persian Gulf, in which
British interests, political and commercial, hnvo
exercised so commanding an influence.
• (1.) There whs an intermission in 1 $88-90, consequent ou
the death of Sultan Seyyid Turki, and pending tho complete
recognition of his successor.
(2.) There was a very short intermission from December
1898 to September 1899, pending the settlement of unjiaid
Kdanecs of indemnity (arising out of losses to British subjects
during Abdulluh-bin-Salch's rclicllion) aud of two loans.
(British Counter-Case, Section VIII.)
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